For many people, nail polish is a staple beauty product. Yet recent research by Testaankoop shows that some nail polishes from well-known brands contain harmful substances. A striking example of how everyday products – which we often use without thinking – can still pose risks to our health.
Testaankoop analysed fifteen popular red nail polishes and found that some products contained benzophenone-1, a substance known to be an endocrine disruptor. One product even contained nitrosamines, chemical compounds that are internationally regarded as possibly carcinogenic.
Caution is advised in particular for vulnerable groups, such as pregnant women and young children.
It is important to understand the difference in exposure.
Anyone who occasionally paints their nails at home is only exposed to these substances to a limited extent. The exposure is brief and sporadic.
It is a different story, however, when nail polish is used daily and professionally. Nail technicians, beauticians and other professionals often work with these products for hours a day. This results in chronic exposure through skin contact and inhalation of vapours. It is precisely this repeated and prolonged exposure that significantly increases the health risk.
Incidentally, this principle applies not only to nail polish, but to many cosmetics, cleaning products and other everyday products that are used intensively in the workplace.
It is important to understand the difference in exposure.
Anyone who occasionally paints their nails at home is only exposed to these substances to a limited extent. The exposure is brief and sporadic.
It is a different story, however, when nail polish is used daily and professionally. Nail technicians, beauticians and other professionals often work with these products for hours a day. This results in chronic exposure through skin contact and inhalation of vapours. It is precisely this repeated and prolonged exposure that significantly increases the health risk.
Incidentally, this principle applies not only to nail polish, but to many cosmetics, cleaning products and other everyday products that are used intensively in the workplace.
This example perfectly illustrates why risks at work are not always spectacular or exceptional. The danger often lies precisely in the ordinary and familiar. Products that seem safe can still lead to long-term health problems with daily use.
That is why it is crucial to:
handle chemical substances consciously,
to critically examine labels and compositions,
and to limit exposure as much as possible.
Fortunately, there is a lot you can do yourself to limit the risks. By making conscious choices and taking a few simple measures, exposure to harmful substances can be reduced considerably:
We are happy to help you identify risks and translate them into feasible preventive measures.
Source: Testaankoop
