Study Paints Grim Picture for Nail Polish - KEYT

Story Created: Apr 10, 2012 at 6:30 PM PDT

Story Updated: Apr 10, 2012 at 6:30 PM PDT

A new study paints a grim picture for some in the nail salon business. It says many nail polish manufacturers, even some which claim to be "toxic-free," may contain high levels of cancer-causing chemicals.

"It means the trust has been broken," Claudia Cordova is the manager at the Aqua Nail bar on upper State Street, in Santa Barbara.
She says the salon is very picky about the polishes it carries.

"We don't carry polishes that are not D.B.P.- free or formaldehyde free, so we make a point to use professional products, now that's in question.

A new study from The California Department of Toxic Substances Control, claims, several brands, even some which claim to be toxin-free, actually contain high levels of the agents.
The chemicals in question: toluene, D.B.P. and formaldehyde, are also known as the "toxic trio."

Exposure to large amounts of the chemicals has been linked to developmental problems, asthma and other illnesses

Investigators chose 25 brands at random, including a number of products claiming to be free of the "toxic trio." They found that 10 of 12 products that claimed to be free of toluene actually contained it, with four of the products having dangerously high levels.
The report also found that five of seven products that claimed to be "free of three toxins," actually included one or more of the agents in significant levels.

For Cordova, the news comes as a shock, "we really rely on the information they give to us, to protect the health of our customers."

The use of the three chemicals in nail products is not illegal if properly labeled. But agency, officials say the false claims may be a violation of a state law that requires disclosure of harmful chemicals in consumer products. It will be up to the State Attorney General's office to decide whether any of the companies in question will face legal action. If you'd like to see the report, you can go to: http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/PollutionPrevention/SaferNailProducts.cfm