It is important to use nail products safely, following labeled directions and paying attention to any warning statements. Nail products may contain chemicals that can affect worker health, and using these products can expose nail salon workers to chemicals. Nail products sold in the United States must be safe for consumers when used according to directions on the label, or in the usual or customary way. Many nail products contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed. Here is information about some nail product ingredients that people often ask about, or that raise special safety concerns:

• Acetonitrile in Artificial Nail Removers
• Toluene sulfonamide/formaldehyde resin (TSFR) in some nail polishes
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in nail polishes
• Ethyl methacrylate (EMA) in artificial fingernails

The labels of all cosmetics, whether marketed to consumers or salons, must include a warning statement whenever necessary or appropriate to prevent a health hazard that may occur with use of the product. Good ventilation is important when using nail products, and if a reaction to a nail product occurs, it should be reported to the FDA. It is difficult to know how these chemicals affect the body because current evaluations do not look at these substances comprehensively. There are also few reports looking at how each compound individually affects nail workers.