Two tasks today:
- #1: get rid of all the toxic nail polish in a responsible, eco-friendly way.
- #2: find a healthy, non-toxic replacement.
#1 OK, so here's what I found out about nail polish:
-Most nail polishes contain toxic formaldehyde that is known as a carcinogen.
-Nail polish ingredients often include toluene and xylene. These are petroleum-based products linked to cancer.
-Nail polish is considered a hazardous waste by some regulatory bodies.
-Chemical solvents like acetates give off chemical fumes, pollute the air, are highly flammable and even explosive.
-When nail polish is applied to your nails, the solvents evaporate into the air and surround you with heavy pollution.
-Unless you hold your breath, you are inhaling toluene, acetates, formaldehyde, alcohol, and phthalates.
-Phthalates have the potential to disrupt hormone levels and potentially cause birth defects.
-Nail polish remover is just as toxic, it contains acetone.
So what to do with these bottles and polishes?
Believe it or not, I found a recycling program for nail polish!
Its a company based in Ohio called Chemwise. They are an award winning chemical recycling and disposal organization, with a mail-in program that you or your community organization can use.
#2 I found environmentally friendly nail polish alternatives:
-Recently, a water-based nail polish has been developed which is based on an acrylic polymer emulsion and the colors (pigments) are similar to those used in water color paints.
-Several companies now make toluene-free and formaldehyde-free nail polishes.
But, these still contain chemical solvents like acetates.
-Several companies are now making water-based nail polish where all the chemical solvents are replaced by water. So, this way, when your nails are drying, it's only water that is evaporating into the air, not toxic chemical fumes.
I plan to do a little more research on this and will post more info later.
Until then, keep those toes and fingers safe. Go natural!
