Gaza _ Agencies
Nail polish manufacturers have abandoned some toxic ingredients for years, they say, but a new scientific study has revealed a new substance that is likely to be toxic, and is believed to have serious health consequences, some of which are related to cancer.
At the beginning of this century, manufacturers gradually excluded three toxic chemicals from nail polish: formaldehyde, toluene and Wefthalat tributyl.
But these chemicals have been replaced in many products by another substance, triphenyl phosphate, which is potentially poisonous as well.
The research team in their study, published in the Journal of Environmental Sciences and technology, noted that the European Union banned the use of this substance in cosmetics in 2004, according to the Reuters agency, Thursday.
According to the panel, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires companies to write components on nail polish, but does not require that the product be subjected to tests to verify that it is safe to use before it is put on the market.
The researchers added that certain chemicals could be included as "perfume" for reasons related to industry secrets.
They pointed out that stickers carried by nail polish products are not always accurate.
"It is especially important for workers in beauty salons because some of these toxins are associated with health complications related to fertility, thyroid problems, obesity and cancer," said the senior researcher at the school´s "T. H. Chan " Public Health College in Boston.
