Still using nail polish? I am, but I’ve made sure the brands I use don’t contain toluene. Now I need to add formaldeyde and dibutyl phthalate (DBP), the other two that make up the “toxic three”.
Many brands still use those chemicals. That’s why they are so shiny and stay put so well.
You’ve no doubt heard of formaldehyde, the chemical that preserves dead animals, but what about the other two?
According to an article on HuffPost Green, “DBP is a known reproductive and developmental toxin, while toluene is a possible reproductive and developmental toxin and can also cause headaches, dizziness and fatigue.
While reading this article, I started thinking about my daughter, who always comes home from a weekend at Grandma’s house with newly painted toes and fingers.
I think I’m going to have to start furnishing as safe a polish as I can find for them to use, because I don’t want to stop their fun.
And here’s where I’m going to find it: The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has a searchable database where you can look up all sorts of things about the products you use.
– Linda J.
