A considerable number of so-called “non-toxic nail care products” do, in fact, contain toxins, the DTSC (California Department of Toxic Substance Control) has warned in a new study released today. Although several labels claimed to be free of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) toluene, and formaldehyde, known as the toxic-trio ingredients, scientists found that many of them had elevated levels of DBP and toluene. In some cases, those claiming to be non-toxic had higher levels of toxins than other products which made no claims.

Long-term exposure to any one of the toxic trio raises the risk of giving birth to babies with defects, developing asthma and some other chronic illnesses and conditions.

The DTSC is particularly concerned about the health of the 121,000 licensed nail care technicians in the state who might be exposed to dangerously high levels of the toxins in many badly ventilated salons. There are estimated to be approximately 48,000 nail salons in California, many of them with Asian-American female employees.

DTSC Director, Debbie Raphael, said:

“Thousands of women and young girls buy these particular brands believing that they are safe. Our study shows there is a failure of some manufacturers to know what is in their products, and a failure to accurately state what is in them. These chemicals are present, sometimes in high quantities. This is a distressing pattern that we wish to highlight and work to address.”

DTSC informs that laboratory testing that was carried out on its behalf has demonstrated that cosmetology schools and nail care salons should not rely on the “toxic-free” claims made by a considerable number of nail care product makers.

25 nail care products samples were examined from six locations in the Bay Area. 12 of them claimed to be free of at least one of the three toxins. However, the lab scientists found that:

  • 10 of the 12 different products contained toluene
  • 4 of the 12 products contained DBP
  • Some of the nail care products which claimed to be toxic-free actually had higher toxin levels than those with no such label claims

Julia Liou, co-founder of the California Healthy Nail Salon Collaborative and a public health administrator for Asian Health Services, said:

“We are alarmed by the results of this report. This is a clear signal that cosmetic manufacturers need to be held accountable for their actions. The misbranding of products is not only a major public health problem, but also interferes with a salon worker’s right to a safe and healthy work environment.”

Lisa Archer, national director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, said:

“Women want to make informed choices, so it is disturbing to see that manufacturers are misrepresenting their products with false labeling claims. Obviously, it’s possible to make nail polish without these toxins, and that’s what all companies should be doing.”

Debbie Raphael said:

“Manufacturers that don’t get it right are putting those that do in a bad light,” said Raphael. “Manufacturers must ask themselves a basic question: ‘Is it necessary to make nail care products with these ingredients?’ Asking that question is a primary goal of DTSC’s Safer Consumer Products Regulations.”

The new rule will go into effect this year, in order to encourage nail product and cosmetic product makers seek out alternatives to the current toxic ingredients. DTSC says it will begin with a “small number of consumer products”, and will hopefully move onto a wider range, so that the marketplace is eventually supplied with less toxic nail care goods.

Melanie Nutter, Director of San Francisco’s Department of the Environment, said:

“We thank DTSC for its revealing research. This report highlights the difficulties that salon owners and consumers face in identifying safer products. Understanding these challenges, San Francisco has launched the Healthy Nail Salon program to train workers and recognize nail salons that choose safer products and practices. We are committed to ensuring that nail salon workers and consumers are protected when using nail products.”

Written by Christian Nordqvist