Nail products can contain potentially harmful ingredients that can affect both workers and consumers. It is important to use these products safely, following labeled directions and paying attention to any warning statements. Here are some details about nail and spa product ingredients and materials:
Ingredients of Concern:
- Acetonitrile: found in artificial nail removers, can be harmful when swallowed.
- Ethyl methacrylate (EMA): found in artificial nail liquid, can cause asthma, irritated eyes, skin, nose, and mouth, and may affect a child if exposed while pregnant.
- Formaldehyde: found in nail polish and nail hardener, can cause difficulty breathing, allergic reactions, and cancer.
- Isopropyl acetate: found in nail polish and nail polish remover, can cause sleepiness, and irritated eyes, nose, and throat.
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): found in nail polish, used as a plasticizer to help prevent chips and cracks, can be toxic.
- Toluene: found in nail polish, can cause headaches, dizziness, and cracked skin.
Safer Ingredients:
- 10-free nail polish: free of 10 of the most harmful leading polish ingredients.
- Water-based nail polish: free of harsh chemicals.
- Non-toxic nail polish: free of the "toxic trio" or the "Big Five".
Positive Aspects:
- Nail products can be used safely when following labeled directions and paying attention to any warning statements.
- Some nail products are marketed as non-toxic and free of harmful chemicals.
Negative Aspects:
- Nail products can contain potentially harmful ingredients that can affect both workers and consumers.
- Some nail products have a high score in the Environmental Working Group (EWG) database, indicating they may be hazardous.
Materials:
- Artificial nails are composed primarily of acrylic polymers and are made by reacting together acrylic monomers, such as ethyl methacrylate monomer, with acrylic polymers, such as polymethylmethacrylate.
- Nail polish and nail polish remover can contain solvents, film formers, plasticizers, UV absorbers/stabilizers, and colorants.
It is important to choose safer products and read about the products being used. Whenever possible, use products with the least hazardous chemicals in them. Employers and workers can take steps to protect health when working with products that contain potentially hazardo...
