Whether they're short and stubby or long and slender, we like to paint our nails with an array of different colors. The problem: we became immune to that harsh chemical smell.
Nail polish is one of the cosmetic products that probably will never be naturally pure simply because it's paint, but there are major chemicals lurking in our polish bottles.
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| Nail Lacquer, $6 each, americanapparelstore.com |
The chemicals are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and they are emitted as gas from certain liquids and solids.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the concentrations of VOCs are generally higher inside than outside. Some side effects include eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, and, at a dangerous level, organ damage.
Since many household products such as cleaners and aerosol sprays contain VOCs, we can lessen the exposure with choosing a nail polish free of these chemicals.
One step is to avoid the following VOCs:
- Di-n-butyl phthalate or dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- It's a plasticizer, meaning it makes plastics soft and flexible. It can be found in a variety of things from raincoats to floor tiles. EPA has not classified DBP as a carcinogen, but studies have found one health effect may be liver damage.
- Toluene
- It's usually added to gasoline to improve the octane ratings, but it can also be used as a solvent in paints and cleaning agents. Chronic inhalation of toluene can lead to fatigue and throat irritation.
- Formaldehyde
- It's widely used to make building materials and household products as well as glues and paints. Watery eyes and difficulty in breathing can be side effects.
Some toxin-free nail polishes can be found at American Apparel, Whole Foods, and certain drugstores.
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