What to do with nail polishes?

The material that makes up the enamel you paint your nails is not recyclable. But even so, there are ways to dispose of it without harming nature too much

Enamel

Currently, enamel has different colors, textures and intensities. It is one of the most sought after beauty items by women. According to the Brazilian Association of the Personal Hygiene, Perfumery and Cosmetics Industry (Abihpec), Brazil is the second country in the world in terms of enamel sales, which makes the profit of this sector to be high in the country. But, have you ever wondered what nail polish is made of and whether or not it is sustainable and the effects of its consumption?

Composition

The nail polishes are basically made of:

  • Adhesive film: forms the basis of enamel and is formed from nitrocellulose, which is soluble in organic solvents. After the solvents evaporate, the nitrocellulose forms a hard film that remains on the nail;
  • Dyes: the main pigments and enamel color are eosin, erythrosine and fluorescein;
  • Plasticizing resin: it is a plasticizing organic solvent that dilutes the compound, decreasing the enamel viscosity and giving a glossy appearance; in addition, it increases the product's durability. The main examples of this type of resin are: toluene, formaldehyde, xylene, camphor, dibutylphthalate (DBP).

Health: Allergies and Brittle Nails

There are three main compounds that cause damage to nails and skin, they are: toluene (non-carcinogenic: group 3, according to the classification of the International Agency for Research on Cancer - IARC), formaldehyde (carcinogenic: group 1) and xylene ( group 3). These compounds can cause some symptoms in more sensitive people, such as: color change and spots on the nail, swelling and redness of the cuticle, brittle nails, peeling and itching around the nail.

The use of dibutylphthalate in cosmetic products adds flexibility and shine, as well as helping to dissolve other cosmetic ingredients. Although banned in Europe, in Brazil there is no restriction on its use, despite BPD being a reproductive and developmental toxin that has been associated with feminization effects in boys, see here. In Brazil, there is also no determination of limits for the use of toluene - in Europe, the limit for the use of the substance is 25% (250,000 mg/kg), as stated in Directive 2009/6/EC.

Formaldehyde, the basis for the production of formaldehyde, has been considered a carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2004. Since 2011, the US Department of Health has classified the substance as a carcinogen. In Brazil, there is no restriction either.

Recommendations

To avoid skin and nail problems, there are some important recommendations:

  • Prevent your cuticles from getting too dry or too wet;
  • Avoid constant use of enamel (both colored and colorless, as it also contains toluene and formaldehyde). Leave your nails neatly trimmed and chemical-free for a while;
  • Check with the dermatologist the need for a specific treatment, in case you have an allergy or sensitivity in the nails;
  • Use hypoallergenic or anti-allergic enamels: they do not have toluene, xylene and formaldehyde in their composition.

discard

Enamel has, in its composition, chemicals that are biodegradable, but that can infiltrate the soil and contaminate water, and, when incinerated, generate toxic gases. Therefore, recycling is difficult, which makes it even more necessary that enamel disposal be done in a conscious manner.

First, when buying nail polishes, check if they contain formaldehyde and give preference to brands free of this compound.

In case you do not find any brand that meets these expectations, the least environmentally harmful way out for the product, after its use, is to recover the glass for recycling and dispose of the remaining content so that it goes to a landfill.

For this, it is necessary to clean the enamel package. Nail polish remover, newspaper and cotton are needed to accomplish this task. Pour the contents into the newspaper (never into a sink), insert the remover liquid into the enamel bottle and shake. Do the same procedure twice and throw the solution in the newspaper, which should be discarded in the common garbage, to be sent to the nearest landfill.

Another alternative is to contact the manufacturer, if the enamel is already expired. If it's not expired and you've had enough of it, give it to others who are interested. But avoid buying a bunch of nail polishes if you know you're not going to use them all the way.



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