By Susannah Farthing, Opinion Editor
Nail polish has long been a staple of
modern cosmetics. Women around the world invest in this industry of colored
liquid in hopes of a harmless additive to brighten their day. Nail polish,
however, is not nearly so harmless. Popular nail polishes, with the esteemed
O.P.I.. at the top of the list, house noxious ingredients.
DBP (known in the medical world as Dibutyl
Phthalate), formaldehyde, and toluene are three toxic additives found in many
nail polishes. Phthalates like DBP are used in nail polishes like O.P.I. to
make them more flexible and prevent chipping. They are also associated with
birth defects and cancer risks.
DBP, which is a plasticizer used to
prevent chipping, has been shown to cause underdeveloped genitals in males. The
highest level of this toxin occurs in women ages 20-40, and it puts the
children of these women at risk for birth defects. Nail polish and nail polish
removers may also contain methyl methacrylate and acetonitrile, which breaks
down into cyanide. And while products sold in the
The FDA does not regulate cosmetics. According
to the FDA website, “Cosmetics and their ingredients are not required to
undergo approval before they are sold. Manufacturers can use any ingredient,
except for ten prohibited substances, without government review.” European
governments ban thousands of chemicals from cosmetics, including phthalates.
The Environmental Working Group, an non-profit organization which attempts to inform consumers about these harmful chemicals, lists 25,000 products and their toxicity in their database. In another related study, WZZM13 news quoted EWG:”as the highest level of this toxin occurs in women ages 20-40, and it puts the children of these women at risk for birth defects.”
having found that “more than one-third
of all personal care products contain at least one ingredient linked to
cancer.” They also noted that “57 percent contain ‘penetration enhancer’
chemicals that can drive other ingredients faster and deeper into the skin to
the blood vessels below,” and “70 percent of all products contain ingredients
that may contain harmful impurities such as known carcinogens.” Besides nail
polish, some shampoos, conditioners, hairsprays, and antiperspirants also
contain DBP.
Fortunately for cosmetic users, some top brands have been producing safe
alternatives since 2006. Revlon has recently introduced a DBP-free and
formaldehyde-free polish. Estee Lauder has also created safe polishes. In the