Cancer-causing chemicals found in almost 70pc gel nail polishes sold in HK

Gel nail polishes sold in Hong Kong have been found to contain cancer-causing substances which have been banned by the European Union, including benzene, formaldehyde and PAHs, according to the city’s consumer watchdog.

The Consumer Council tested 25 different models of “soak off gel” nail polish, and found that almost 70 percent, or 17 models, contained at least one of the carcinogens.

The council’s tests were conducted with reference to the EU Cosmetics Directive, which stipulated that CMR substances are chemicals classified as carcinogenic. The test focused on benzene, toluene and xylene, which are 3 organic solvents commonly found in nail polish and are classified as CMR substances.

One of the 25 models was detected with 0.26mg/kg of benzene - which its intentional use in cosmetics is prohibited by both the EU Cosmetics Directive and the  Mainland’s Safety and  Technical Standards for Cosmetics.

“Despite the low detected amount, the Council recommends consumers to avoid using products containing benzene as it is a known carcinogen for humans,” the council said.

Meanwhile, three models were detected with free formaldehyde at levels from 0.006 percent to 0.010 percent, though the watchdog said the levels still complied with the midland’s safety standards, which set out a limit of not more than 0.2 percent.

The tests also found 14 models were detected with 1 to 2 types of EU-banned carcinogenic PAHs.

Separately, the watchdog said all models were found with toluene, but the detected amounts all fall within the EU Cosmetics Directive’s upper limit  (250,000mg/kg) set for toluene applicable only to nail polish.

The council reminds consumers to select products that contain no or less harmful substances and to use such products in well-ventilated spaces. At the same time, manufacturers are urged to minimize the levels of toxic substances in their products to safeguard the health of consumers.

The council also noted that gel nail polish is usually composed of chemical substances that only harden via a curing process known as “photo-initiated polymerization” under UV light, which may pose certain health risks in terms of the harmful substances and damage from misuse or long-term exposure to UV lamps.