Hazardous toxins found in 'nontoxic' nail polish

Melbourne, Apr 12 (ANI): California state regulators have released a list of common nail polishes that claim to be toxin-free but actually contain chemicals that are linked to cancer and birth defects.

According to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, its report was based on a study of 25 brands it chose at random from Bay Area distributors and focused on three chemicals known as the "toxic trio" of formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

Exposure to large amounts of the chemicals was linked to an increased risk of developmental problems, asthma and cancer.

"It is just disheartening, distressing and disturbing as a consumer and a regulator," the Daily Telegraph quoted Debbie Raphael, director of the department as telling the Los Angeles Times.

"The question that we want to engage industry in is, is it necessary to use these chemicals?" she said.

According to the newspaper, around four in five of the state's 120,000 licensed nail technicians are Vietnamese women, who campaigners say work long hours in hazardous conditions and suffer health problems as a result.

Scientific research previously suggested that salon employees have more headaches, respiratory problems and skin irritations than other workers and are exposed to chemicals at higher than recommended levels.

Among the polishes that the state said were mislabeled as non-toxic were Sation 99 basecoat, Sation 53 red-pink nail colour, Dare to Wear nail lacquer, Chelsea 650 Baby's Breath Nail Lacquer, New York Summer Nail Colour, Paris Spicy 298 nail lacquer, Sunshine nail lacquer, Cacie Light Free Gel Basecoat, Cacie Sun Protection Topcoat, Golden Girl Topcoat, Nail Art Top-N-Seal and High Gloss Topcoat.

The European Union already banned nail polish manufacturers from using DBP and has strict limits on the amount of formaldehyde and toluene that can be used in nail polishes. (ANI)