| | Nail products | Common chemical ingredients | OSHA PEL/(TLV if lower) (ppm) | Potential health effects |
| | Ethyl acetate | 400 | Irritation eyes, skin, nose, throat; dermatitis | | Butyl acetate | 150 | Irritation eyes, skin, upper respiratory system; headache | | Ethyl alcohol | 1000 | Irritation eyes, skin, nose; headache, CNS syndrome; cough; liver damage; anemia; reproductive effects | | Isopropyl alcohol | 400 | Irritation eyes, nose, throat; CNS syndrome, headache; dry, cracking skin | | Acetone | 1000 [250] | Irritation eyes, nose, throat; headache; CNS syndrome; dermatitis | | Methyl ethyl ketone | 200 | Irritation eyes, nose, throat; headache; CNS syndrome; dermatitis | Nail polish (basecoat, colors,
and top coats)
Includes: pigments,
resins, solvents,
plasticizers, dispersants,
and UV stabilizers | Toluene | 200 [50] | Irritation eyes, nose, throat; headache; CNS syndrome; dermatitis; dilated pupils, lacrimation; anxiety, muscle fatigue, insomnia; paresthesia; liver, kidney damage; | | Xylene | 100 | Irritation eyes, nose, throat; headache; CNS syndrome; corneal damage; dermatitis; reproductive effects | | Dibutyl phthalate | 5 mg/m3 | Irritation eyes, upper respiratory system, stomach; reproductive effects (fetotoxic) | | Nitrocellulose | None [400] | Unknown | | Toluene Sulfonamide Formaldehyde Resin | None | Dermatitis | | Titanium dioxide | 10 mg/m3 | Lung fibrosis; potential occupational carcinogen |
| | Nail polish removers | Acetone | 1000 [250] | See above | | Ethyl acetate | 400 | See above | | Butyl Acetate | 150 | See above |
| | Ethyl methacrylate | None | Irritation eyes, skin, nose, throat; allergic contact dermatitis; asthma | Artificial nails Includes: acrylic polymers,
hardeners, primers, dehydrators | Methyl methacrylate | 100 [50] | Irritation eyes, skin, nose, throat; allergic contact dermatitis; asthma | | Butyl methacrylate | None | Irritation eyes, skin, nose, throat; allergic contact dermatitis; asthma | | Methacrylic acid | None [20] | Irritation eyes, skin, mucous membrane; eye, skin burns | | Methyl ethyl ketone | 200 | See above |
| | Nail tips adhesives | Ethyl cyanoacrylate | None [0.2] | Irritation eyes, skin, nose, throat; allergic contact dermatitis; asthma |
| |
Artificial nail removers | Acetone | 1000 [250] | see above | | N-methyl pyrrolidone | None | Dermatitis, reproductive effects | | Acetonitrile | 40 [20] | Irritation nose, throat; asphyxia; nausea, vomiting; chest pain; CNS syndrome; convulsions; in animals: liver, kidney damage |
| | Nail hardener | Formaldehyde | | |
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