
2.2.2 Nail Care Products
These are cosmetic products that are used primarily by nail salons or nail bars in carrying out nail care services such as manicures, pedicures, and nail enhancements.
Nail technicians use beauty projects like nail polish, nail polish removers, artificial nails, adhesives, and disinfectants throughout the day. Compared to the average individual, they are exposed to the chemical ingredients the products contain on a much higher magnitude. Some of the more potent chemicals are toluene, formaldehyde, ethyl methacrylate (EMA), and dibutylphthalate (Gorman and Connor, 2007). Nearly all chemicals are reported to be eye, skin, nose, and throat irritants. Some, like toluene and dibutylphthalates are known endocrine disruptors.
According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), endocrine disruptors are chemicals that interfere with endocrine system, which is regulated by hormones. These hormonal disruptors can potentially lead to tumours, birth defects, reproductive harm, neurological, developmental, and immune degradation. Research has suggested that endocrine disruptors pose the greatest risk during prenatal and postnatal development.