Summary: You wouldn't paint your nails with paint used in the automotive industry, would you?You wouldn't paint your nails with paint used in the automotive industry, would you? Well, that's how nail polish came about, based on the lacquer used in that same paint. Unfortunately, with pretty, polished nails comes toxic exposure. Lisa Beres, Certified Green Building Professional, says you need to watch out for the "toxic trio" which includes: formaldehyde: a carcinogen toluene: a toxin that may cause birth defects and developmental problems in children of pregnant women who have had extended exposure dibutyl phthalate (DBP): has been linked to birth defects in studies involving lab animals Beres says you should be looking for polishes that are "3 Free" or "5 Free" (in addition to the toxic trio, nail polishes can also contain camphor and formaldehyde resin). Now, a new chemical in nail polishes, TPHP, is ending up in human bodies. TPHP is an endocrine disrupting chemical commonly used in plastics and in foam furniture. Even products labeled "healthy" aren't necessarily free of dangerous chemicals, so you have to truly investigate the brands you use. Beres joins host Lisa Davis to share more about the dangers of nail polishes and polish removers. She also lists specific brands that are the safest to use, as well as ones you should stay away from.
