Pretty Nails...Healthy Body?

Having a colorful set of nails can make a woman feel pretty, but the reality is, most nail products contain harmful chemicals that really aren't pretty at all. The U.S. government does not regulate the ingredients that go into the beauty products that we use on our skin, hair and nails. Which means that you have to be your own advocate to keep you and your loved ones safe from exposure to toxic substances. For women, the body burden of chemicals is profound due to the tremendous number of products that are used. In addition, the high rate of cell division of the female reproductive system makes exposure to chemicals of great concern.

One of the big offenders in the beauty industry are the manufacturers of nail products. The three most toxic substances are formaldehyde, DBP (dibutyl phthalate) and toluene. All three of these chemicals are listed on California's Prop. 65 list of chemicals known to cause cancer or repoductive toxicity. Does this sound like something you want to put on your body? The question of whether we absorb any significant quantity of chemical through our skin is now being answered with solid research. The largest U.S. body burden study to date measured the levels of 148 chemicals in approximately 3,000 people of varying ages, ethnicities and geographical locations. This study, by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, detected a common sunscreen ingredient, benzophenone-3 in 96.8 percent of individuals, and triclosan, an antibacterial agent often used in antibacterial soaps, in 74.6 percent of individuals. A CDC study found residues of four different phthalates in more than 75 percent of subjects. Unfortunately, we are taking it in and it is having a significant negative impact upon our health.

Under pressure from a number of health and environmental groups, three of the largest manufacturers of nail products listened to the crys and eliminated the three big toxic chemicals from their products. The companies, OPI Products, Orly International, Inc. and Del Laboratories, Inc. which makes the Sally Hansen brand, removed formaldehyde, toluene and DBP. So if you want those pretty colors, these are the safer picks. Or better yet, use a buffer to make those nails shine and avoid any unseen problems in the future.