On average, we use about ten personal care products daily which means we're exposed to well over 100 foreign substances day in day out.
Charlotte Gehrud like many girls loves buying new nail polish colors. Some brands use triphenyl phosphate or TPHP in some of its nail polish. TPHP can possibly disrupt hormone systems, a concern for young girls.
A joint study by a health group out of D.C. and Duke University found when women used nail polish with TPHP it ended up inside their body. The chemical is also used as a common flame retardant.
According to the Environmental Working Group, or EWG, more research is needed but recommends young girls limit their exposure. This non-profit has been looking into cosmetic safety since labels don't list every ingredient.
Manufacturers are not required to break down terms like "flavor or fragrance. And the law doesn't require the FDA to approve cosmetic products before they go on the market. But it can monitor consumer complaints which prompted a recent FDA warning about Wen cleansing conditioners. 127 people reported hair loss, breakage, itching and rash associated with the product. The FDA then discovered more than 21 thousand complaints were made directly to the company.
But a new bill sponsored by California Senator Dianne Feinstein would give the FDA more oversight. Including requiring companies to report complaints, disclose product ingredients and hand over internal safety studies.
A scientist with EWG says data is still limited when it comes to effects of TPHP in people. Many nail polishes do contain TPHP - be sure to check the label if you're concerned.
