There’s something about having painted nails that makes even the most mundane tasks a little more fun. A glimpse at sparkly nails or an eye-catching manicure design can add a bit of sunlight in the middle of a blurry work week, but some experts say that our mani-pedis may not be so healthy for us in other ways.

A report released by the Pollution Prevention Branch of the California EPA suggests that some nail polishes may contain toxic chemicals like dibutyl phthalate, toluene, and formaldehyde, according to WebMD.
Advertisement

“The chemicals in nail polish pose health risks that vary from reproductive problems to cancer,” Med India reports. According to Med India, the three chemicals included in the study are considered a “toxic trio” because repeated exposure to these specific chemicals could lead to serious health problems.

Public Domain
Toluene: Used to keep the polish ingredients from separating, this chemical is also found in gasoline. Repeated exposure to this chemical causes damage to the nervous and reproductive systems. Less severe symptoms include headaches and eye and throat irritation. Read more below