Expert: Profile Closed - 1/4/2010

Question
Hi,
Thanks in advance for taking my question. My daughter (10 year old) is in the hobby of doing nails. She and her cousin have been doing their nails and others' nails like everyday. She does change her nails design like once a day. I been concerned about the danger of the smell of these chemicals. She has been doing this "nails salon stuff" for about 6 months. I found articles about the dangers of it and I am going to stop it right now. My question is: Is there any way to find out if she has been negatively affected by this? She seems fine, smart as she is and no changes I have noticed on her, but I just wonder if there is any test or anything in order to save her with the side effects?
Thanks a lot, and please let me know if there is anything else I could do.
Veronica

Answer
Hi there, and thank you very much for your question.

I hope your daughter is ok and that she understands the reason that you are taking this sensible precaution.

The first thing to say is that in general terms, it is assumed that both nail-polish and nail-polish removers are safe for consumer use, which is why they are licensed for sale by the government.

However, as I'm sure the article you read, both the solvents in nail-varnish, and the solvents used as nail-polish remover (normally a chemical called acetone) are toxic and flammable; in industry, you wouldn't be allowed to work in an atmosphere of acetone vapors, so it seems very sensible to me to stop children being exposed to the same type of fumes at home.

Taking Acetone as probably the most toxic chemical involved, I can firstly reassure you that symptoms of solvent poisoning tend to be acute; that is, if your daughters had been affected, they would present with headaches, sickness, dizziness etc straight away, and as you have reported that they're ok generally, it's really unlikely that they've done any immediate damage.

Likewise, given the number of people who use acetone (and similar solvents involved in nail-polishing and nail-polish removal) without harm, it's unlikely that there will be any long-term effects.

The two effects that are theoretically possible after exposure to solvents like acetone are a) De-fatting and irritation of skin that has been in contact with the solvents involved and b) -specifically for acetone -, possible long-term effects on the liver.

Once again, I must emphasize that it's unlikely that, in the short exposures they've had, your daughters have done any long-term damage. If you notice any continuing cracking or dryness of the skin around the hands and nails, or if your child develops any symptoms you are worried about, consult a doctor ASAP.

There are no specific tests that can be done for the amounts of chemical that may have been inhaled through normal use (although lab tests and liver function tests would be done in the case of acute poisoning, e.g. if someone had accidentally drunk some of the stuff). The body is fantastic at removing harmful substances from within by natural excretion, so following general good-health advice (e.g. keeping hydrated, eating healthily and getting regular exercise) will help to ensure that any possible ill-effects are minimized.

So in summary, it is unlikely that the exposure from normal use will have caused any damage, but (as would be the case anyway), consult a doctor at once if you are worried about any aspect of your children's health. There are no specific tests available for the type of potential exposure to hazardous chemicals that may be involved in the use of nail-care products, and encouraging a healthy lifestyle will help your children's bodies recover from any possible minor ill-effects.

On an official basis, I would repeat the line that nail-polish removers and associated products are passed as ok for general use, but on a personal level, neither I or my partner would expose our children unnecessarily to chemicals that have the potential to cause long-term health problems, so I think the step you are taking is a wise one.

Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy new year; if you would like further information about anything I've mentioned, or if I've not explained anything clearly, then please drop me a follow-up note and I will help in any way I can.

Best wishes, George