TOXIC ENDOCRINE DISRUPTERS FOUND IN NAIL POLISH

It’s not surprising that many nail polishes contain potentially toxic chemicals – but according to a new study, at least one of those chemicals could be ending up in your body.

The study, co-authored by EWG and researchers at Duke University, found that triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) – a suspected endocrine disruptor also used to make plastics and as a fire retardant in foam furniture – could be ending up in your body if you’ve painted your nails lately.

The EWG-Duke study tested the urine of 26 women who had recently painted their nails and found evidence of TPHP in every participant.

Besides disrupting hormones, scientific evidence shows that TPHP could contribute to weight gain and obesity. In animal studies, it has caused reproductive and developmental problems.

Click here to learn more about the potential dangers of TPHP and see which brands sell nail polishes that contain it.

The study found that when women applied nail polish with TPHP directly to their nails, the levels of a biomarker of that chemical in their urine increased nearly sevenfold compared to when participants wore gloves and applied the polish to synthetic nails.

Scientists knew little about the toxicity of TPHP until recently. Now there is growing evidence that it could affect hormones, metabolism, reproduction and development.

Click here to learn more in EWG’s latest analysis: “Nailed: Endocrine Disruptor in Nail Polish Gets Into Women’s Bodies.”

Thanks for making this and all of EWG’s research possible.

Sincerely,

Johanna Congleton, Ph.D.
Senior Scientist, EWG