Many people in Ottawa believe that because nail polish is widely available on store shelves and sports no warning label, it is free of health risks. They are, sadly, mistaken. Don’t get fooled by the nail polish market and the advertisers of these glossy products. Although nail polish producers in Canada are required to disclose product ingredients, they don’t have to warn you about the negative health concerns associated with those ingredients.

According to a 2010 report, 80 per cent of cosmetics contain at least one ingredient linked with health and environmental concerns, including cancer, reproductive disorders, asthma and severe allergies.

Dibutyl Phthalate

Used as a solvent for dyes and as a plasticizer to prevent nail polishes from becoming brittle, this phthalate is classified by the EU as a suspected endocrine disruptor and as toxic to reproduction. Health Canada associates DBP with liver and kidney failure in young children when products (and polished little fingers) containing phthalates are sucked or chewed for extended periods. Although Health Canada banned six phthalates (including DBP) in soft vinyl children’s toys, its use in cosmetics is not restricted. The European Union classifies DBP as very toxic to aquatic organisms.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a common ingredient in nail hardeners in concentrations of up to five per cent. In nail polish, tosylamide/formaldehyde resin is used, and may contain residual formaldehyde concentrations of up to 0.5 per cent. The International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies formaldehyde as a known human carcinogen.

Toluene

According the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, toluene is a moderate skin irritant that can cause dermatitis with prolonged contact. It is also a developmental toxicity hazard and has been identified in human milk. Inhalation of toluene vapour can affect the central nervous system causing slight drowsiness and headache at low levels and Irritation of the nose, throat and respiratory tract at increased levels.

Does this mean you have to stick to plain nails to stay healthy? Not necessarily! There are good resources out there to help you choose options that are safe for you and the environment.

Vegan Nail Polish

There are at least a dozen vegan nail polishes on the market. Nail polish can be a fun way to dress up your nails or cover up any imperfections. Unfortunately most nail polish brands are tested on animals and contain harsh chemical ingredients. Despite being banned for cosmetics use in several countries, formaldehyde—a known carcinogen—is commonly used in nail polish.

To the great benefit of animals and people, several companies have started nail polish lines that are cruelty-free and vegan.

By: D. S. Foundation