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Avoiding
Toxic Nail Polish
Conventional
nail polishes contain an array of chemicals that have been linked to an array
of health issues, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, hormone disruption
and kidney and liver damage. Yes, really.
Polishes
contain solvents, such as toluene, formaldehyde, and ethyl, butyl and amyl
acetate, all of which can be inhaled and lead to headaches, dizziness,
fatigue and eye, nose and throat irritation. Formaldehyde is a known human
carcinogen. Toluene can also be transmitted to infants through breast milk.
There are more potentially harmful chemicals in polishes and removers
including DBP, a member of the phthalate family, which has been linked to
asthma, hormone disruption and obesity; coal dye tars, some of which may be
carcinogenic; hydroquinone, a neurotoxin and allergen; and acetone, which can
cause dizziness, nausea, headaches and in animal studies has been linked with
liver and kidney damage and birth defects. Indeed, concern over the health
effects of these chemicals led to the European Union to ban toluene,
formaldehyde and DBP from use in cosmetics in 2004. No such ban exists in the
United States.
The
safest choice is to avoid wearing nail polish. The next best choice is to buy
products from companies that have reduced the toxic load in their nail polish
and remover formulations. See the link below for some suggestions. Finally,
regardless of what kind of nail polish you choose, there are some precautions
worth taking:
-
pregnant
women should avoid all nail polish;
-
avoid
putting nail polish on babies or children that put their fingers in their
mouths;
-
discourage
teenagers, who are susceptible to hormone-disrupting chemicals, from using
nail polish;
-
keep all
nail care products out of the reach of children and pets;
-
follow
hazardous waste disposal guidelines for all nail polish and removers.
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Tread
lightly
Buy organic
food
We applaud farmers who say
"no" to pesticides, chemical fertilizers and other harmful
substances that can harm us and the earth. And we take our hats off to those
who raise organic, free-range animals. They all deserve our support!
Buy organic
cleaning products
They are made without harsh and harmful chemicals and do just as good a job.
Support
recycling
Most communities already have recycling programs (and if yours doesn't we
encourage you to contact local officials and start one!). Make an effort to
purchase used or recycled products too. Many are available on the internet,
or talk to your local shopkeepers and see if they will stock more of them.
Drive less
Cars contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions that lead to global
warming. When you can, share a ride, walk, bike or take public
transportation.
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