New Publication: Exposures in nail salons to trace elements in nail polish from impurities or pigment ingredients – A pilot study

Nail polishes have evolved considerably. Toxic elements, such as lead, have been found in nail polish, and it is unclear if new finishes using metallic effect pigments may be contributing to metals exposure in nail technicians. We characterized concentrations of trace elements in 40 nail polishes, 9 technicians’ urine, and 20 technicians’ toenail clippings from 8 nail salons in the Boston area in 2017. We also collected 24 salon surface wipes from 3 of the salons. Read more about JPB Senior Fellow Diana Ceballos’s research.