Nail Polishers are toxic !

Even the most health-conscious people can fail to consider how nail polish is affecting their bodies. But a recent study found that many of the most popular nail polish brands are much more harmful than they would seem.

What the Research Shows

Researchers recently tested for signs of chemical toxins in 24 women participating in their study. They found evidence of toxins in the bodies of every single woman. What was the source of these chemicals? Nail polish. The results showed that 100% of the participants showed signs of triphenyl phosphate only 10 hours after applying nail polish. This type of conclusive result is remarkable, and it’s also alarming.
In a follow up study, the same researchers tested 10 different nail polishes for triphenyl phosphate, and discovered the chemical in 8. Two of those polishes that tested positively for the chemical did not disclose it on their product label. This could mean that up to 20% of nail polishes sold contain a dangerous chemical that isn’t listed as an ingredient.

What is Triphenyl Phosphate?

One of the biggest concerns about triphenyl phosphate (or TPHP) is that it is known to disrupt humans’ endocrine system, which controls all our hormones. Head researcher, Dr. Heather Stapleton, voiced her concerns, saying, “There is growing evidence suggesting that TPHP may affect hormone regulation, metabolism, reproduction and development”.
This is particularly harmful for the young girls who use nail polish regularly, since healthy hormonal development is an essential part of their growth. Nevertheless, TPHP poses a serious health risk to anyone exposed to it. It’s also known for being:

• Neurotoxin (developmental effects)
• Endocrine Toxin
• Reproductive Toxin
• Skin irritant and allergen

Other Health Threats

• Formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a well known carcinogen that can dissolve in water and in air (you know that strong nail polish smell?). Exposure to this chemical can also produce symptoms like a scratchy throat, asthma, and difficulty breathing. Those with chronic diseases are especially susceptible to poisoning from formaldehyde.
• Toluene. This chemical is known to impede development in children (and some scientists found traces of it in breast milk!). Additionally, it can be irritating to the skin upon exposure.
• Dibutyl Phthalate. Some nail polish brands swap this phthalate for TPHP, but it’s no better for your health. In fact, it poses similar health risks such as hormonal disruption and reproductive system toxins.

Natural Nail Polish Alternatives

Luckily, there are some companies who decided to respond to the discoveries of dangerous nail polish ingredients. There are a handful of awesome, natural alternatives that don’t contain the same risks of allergies, cancer, and hormone disruption. Here are some of our favorite options that offer a great selection at great prices!

1. Honeybee Gardens carries a line of natural nail polish in a wide variety of colors. These are actually water-based (so they remove effortlessly with your standard rubbing alcohol) and contain absolutely no traces of dangerous chemicals or carcinogens.
2. Acquarella has a selection of over 50+ nail polish colors. These are all water-based, and don’t contain any formaldehyde, toluene, dibutyl phthalate or mercury.
3. SpaRitual is a toxin-free brand of nail polish that is also totally vegan!
4. Peacekeeper Cause-Metics also has a few bright nail polishes that are infused with argan oil, as well as being toxin-free. This one’s a great way to make a classic color keep your nails moisturized.

Your mani-pedi should be a fun way to express yourself, and not a threat to your health, or the health of your growing children. But it’s easy to make the switch to health-conscious nail polish without compromising your wallet OR your sense of style!

Sources

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/drywall/docs/whatyoushouldknowaboutformaldehyde.pdf
http://www.ewg.org/release/duke-ewg-study-finds-toxic-nail-polish-chemical-women-s-bodies
http://www.davidsuzuki.org/what-you-can-do/queen-of-green/faqs/toxics/how-to-choose-a-non-toxic-nail-polish/%20%0b
http://www.care2.com/greenliving/non-toxic-nail-polish.html

Image Sources

http://www.mrhealthylife.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/nail.png

http://www.smallfootprintfamily.com/wp-content/uploads/safe-nail-polish-for-kids.jpg

http://static.becomegorgeous.com/img/arts/2013/6/nail-polish-ingredients-to-avoid/main/chemicals_in_nail_polish_content.jpg
http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/f/f3/Get-Rid-of-Those-White-Spots-on-Your-Nails-Step-7.jpg/aid39945-728px-Get-Rid-of-Those-White-Spots-on-Your-Nails-Step-7.jpg.webp
http://happilytoxinfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Nail-Polish-Chemicals-Toxic-Trio-1.jpg

Let them eat dirt! Our obsession with hygiene is jeopardising our children's health

 

 

Dr Maya Shetreat-Klein believes that the answer to our children's health problems lies in the great outdoors Credit: Age Fotostock RM 

 

By:

Eleanor Steafel 

 

It’s a nerve-wrecking time to be a parent. Every week, mothers are chastised with the seemingly endless list of chronic childhood illnesses their little ones might contract, from autoimmune diseases like eczema or asthma to nut allergies,

, to behavioural disorders such as ADHD. But what if we could prevent early-onset health issues simply by making our kids roll around in the dirt? In her new book Healthy Food, Healthy Gut, Happy Child, Dr Maya Shetreat-Klein advocates a lifestyle centred around contact with the microbes present in soil.
“Parents today are keeping their children away from the things that are critical to their health,” says Dr Shetreat-Klein, a pediatric neurologist and mother-of-three from New York. “We are sanitising their lives with cleaning products, pesticides and antibiotics.”
Recent research from the journal Occupational Environmental shows that children exposed to bleach actually have more, not fewer infections - including a 20 per cent higher risk of coming down with the flu, she points out.
“Microbes, fresh food from healthy soil, time spent in nature, can improve our children’s health immeasurably. No drug can do what being in the forest can.”
 , to behavioural disorders such as ADHD.
But what if we could prevent early-onset health issues simply by making our kids roll around in the dirt? In her new book Healthy Food, Healthy Gut, Happy Child, Dr Maya Shetreat-Klein advocates a lifestyle centred around contact with the microbes present in soil.
“Parents today are keeping their children away from the things that are critical to their health,” says Dr Shetreat-Klein, a pediatric neurologist and mother-of-three from New York. “We are sanitising their lives with cleaning products, pesticides and antibiotics.”
Recent research from the journal Occupational Environmental shows that children exposed to bleach actually have more, not fewer infections - including a 20 per cent higher risk of coming down with the flu, she points out.
“Microbes, fresh food from healthy soil, time spent in nature, can improve our children’s health immeasurably. No drug can do what being in the forest can.”
, to behavioural disorders such as ADHD.
But what if we could prevent early-onset health issues simply by making our kids roll around in the dirt? In her new book Healthy Food, Healthy Gut, Happy Child, Dr Maya Shetreat-Klein advocates a lifestyle centered around contact with the microbes present in soil.
“Parents today are keeping their children away from the things that are critical to their health,” says Dr Shetreat-Klein, a pediatric neurologist and mother-of-three from New York. “We are sanitising their lives with cleaning products, pesticides and antibiotics.”
Recent research from the journal Occupational Environmental shows that children exposed to bleach actually have more, not fewer infections - including a 20 per cent higher risk of coming down with the flu, she points out.
“Microbes, fresh food from healthy soil, time spent in nature, can improve our children’s health immeasurably. No drug can do what being in the forest can.”
Now, the way Dr Shetreat-Klein feeds her family has changed dramatically. Her husband and three children all hike at the weekends and spend as much time in the outdoors as possible, as well as keeping to a diet high in the vegetables grown in their garden.  

Dr Shetreat-Klein has since seen similarly startling results in her patients. “I had a patient recently who was having real difficulty in school both with focus and learning and really explosive behaviour. His parents wanted help with his behaviour, but also mentioned he had a history of eczema and ear infections.
"Because of that, I suspected it could be related to dairy as studies have shown there to be a connection between symptoms like ear infections and eczema with a dairy intolerance. The family cleaned up their diet and went dairy-free and by the end of the month they had a different kid. Their teacher thought they had put him on medication, there was such a change.”
Dr Shetreat-Klein believes introducing a diverse range of foods grown from healthy soil and plenty of time spent outside in nature will give a child’s gut the resilience the body needs to prevent typical childhood conditions.

Source: telegraph.co.uk