Nail polish may affect hormones

A chemical found in nail polish was detected in the bodies of women who voluntarily painted their fingernails as part of a study conducted by Duke University and EWG researchers.

"It is alarming to think my ruby red nail polish could come with a side of toxic ingredients that could ultimately end up in my body", said Schrode.

Researchers tested the urine of 26 women volunteers before and after they applied nail polish. Their levels of diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), which forms when the body metabolizes TPHP, increased by almost sevenfold, according to a news release. As outrageous as this sounds, a recent study conducted by Duke University and the Environmental Working Group suggests that there may be a link between a common nail polish ingredient and weight gain.

A new study shows a potentially toxic chemical in nail polish.

Past research has linked TPHP to a variety of ailments including reportedly damaging the reproductive and developmental abilities in animals, and hormone-related cancers, thyroid disorder and obesity in humans. Researchers are anxious that the usage of nail polish could pose a threat to these adolescents' growth and development because the chemical could disrupt the endocrine system.

Triphenyl phosphate - often abbreviated as TPHP or TPP - is disclosed in about half of the 3,000 nail polishes and treatments cataloged by the EWG and is likely added to many others but not included on product labels. "It is even more troubling to learn that their bodies absorb this chemical relatively quickly after they apply a coat of polish". For many youngsters, nail polish is the first introduction to cosmetics. It may have replaced a chemical called DBP, which fell out of popularity when it was found to be a hormone disruptor. This may be explained by use of the chemical in personal care products for women, including nail polish. The chemical acts as a plasticizer, making the polish flexible but durable.

On Monday, EWG launched a consumer petition to stop popular nail brands from using TPHP.

To avoid exposing yourself and your children to TPHP in nail polish, you can find a list of brands that use TPHP in EWG's Skin Deep®.