Take a look at your hands—what do they look like? If you’re a woman, your fingernails are probably painted with nail polish. In many career environments and social circles, nail polish is seen as an essential part of proper hygiene and presentation. But this social expectation may come with potential health effects. (Updated Apr 4, 2023)
A study conducted by Duke University and the Environmental Working Group, published in Environment International, found that chemicals in nail polish can enter the bloodstream in noticeable amounts within as little as two hours after application.
The study examined urine samples from 24 women for diphenyl phosphate (DPHP), which forms when the body metabolizes triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), a chemical commonly found in nail polish. Within 10–14 hours of applying nail polish, levels of DPHP increased by nearly sevenfold.
These chemicals have been associated with potential health concerns, including hormone disruption, infertility, hormone-related cancers such as breast and ovarian cancer, prostate issues, thyroid disorders, neurological problems, diabetes, and obesity.
“Nails aren’t permeable to most molecules, but TPHP could be absorbed into the cuticle or the skin around the nail,” says Johanna Congleton, a senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group and co-author of the study.
Chemicals can also enter the body through inhalation (especially in enclosed spaces like nail salons) or ingestion (for example, through nail biting).
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