Nail salon products can contain chemicals that can affect worker health. It is important to use nail products safely, following labeled directions and paying attention to any warning statements. Some nail products contain potentially harmful ingredients, but are allowed on the market because they are safe when used as directed. The following are some common nail product ingredients:
Positive ingredients:
- Methacrylate ester monomers (HEMA and Di-HEMA Trimethylhexyl Dicarbamate): used as film-forming ingredients in nail products, where they are consumed within a few seconds to minutes during the polymerization induced by the UV-curing process.
Negative ingredients:
- Dibutyl phthalate
- Toluene
- Formaldehyde (Paraformaldehyde / Methylene glycol)
- Formaldehyde resin
- Camphor
- Xylene
- Parabens (isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben)
- TPHP
- Ethyl tosylamide
- Tert-butyl hydroperoxide
- Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP)
- Quaternium-15
- Mercury
- m-Phenylenediamine and salts
- o-Phenylenediamine and salts
- PFAS
Some of these ingredients are harmful when swallowed, but not when used on the nails, because the nail is a barrier, which prevents absorption. However, some ingredients can cause health hazards that may occur with the use of the product. For example, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. Toluene can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea, and long-term exposure can cause more serious health problems.
It is important to note that the presence of a product in the CSCP database does not necessarily indicate that the product is known to cause health harm. However, some cosmetics containing ingredients linked to cancer or reproductive harm have been reported, including some nail products.
To protect themselves from both health and safety hazards while working with chemicals, licensees can use equipment and methods such as improving ventilation, wearing gloves, and avoiding harmful chemicals by using safer products or processes.
