Do know about nail polish harms and the chemicals it been used while produce it?

Nail polish has long been under scrutiny for containing potentially-harmful chemicals — which is one reason why some companies have reformulated their products to be free of substances like deputy phthalate, toluene, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, and camphor.

But now there might be another potentially-toxic chemical to be aware of: triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), a suspected hormone-disruptor that’s commonly used as a fire retardant in furniture. A new study published online in October 2015 in the journal Environment International — by researchers from both the Environmental Working Group (EWG) and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina — found that when 26 women used a TPHP-containing nail polish, they showed evidence of having absorbed the chemical into their bodies after just 10 to 14 hours.

According to the EWG's Skin Deep cosmetic database, TPHP is present in about 49 percent of nail polish, and can be found in popular brands like OPI, Sally Hansen, Maybelline, and Spa Ritual.

Does this mean you need to toss your nail polish, stat? Not yet. Johanna Congleton, MSPH, PhD, a senior scientist at the EWG who worked on the study, says that the study was small and that there is little human data on the health effects of TPHP. However, she does point to animal studies that show a potential risk. “Rats exposed before and after birth to a fire retardant mixture that contains up to 20 percent TPHP were obese and females went through early puberty, indicating metabolic and hormone disruption,” she says. The results may be of particular concern to women who are pregnant or trying to become pregnant and moms of young girls. “Proper hormone signaling is very important during pregnancy and through puberty,” Congleton says.

While the results may sound alarming, the study data suggests that most of the TPHP is absorbed, metabolized, and excreted within 24 hours, Congleton says. Also, most people already have detectable levels in their bodies, perhaps through its use as a fire retardant, she says.

Beth Lange, the chief scientist at The Personal Care Products Council, a trade association for the industry, casts doubts on the findings. “Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) has been widely and safely used across many industries around the world, where it helps prevent electrical, automobile, and furniture fires,” says Lange, in a statement. “Extremely small amounts are sometimes used in some nail polish as a way to increase their flexibility and durability.”