Formaldehyde is a natural chemical compound that is present in many everyday environments. While negative publicity is widespread, especially in the beauty industry, it’s important to separate scientific fact from fear-based misinformation. In nail salons, concerns about formaldehyde levels are often based on misconceptions. This article explores the truth behind formaldehyde use in nail products and reveals whether it poses a real risk to nail professionals and clients.
Are formaldehyde levels in nail salons dangerous?
No, formaldehyde is not and has never been a problem in nail salons. The so-called formaldehyde risks in nail polish campaigns are designed to mislead rather than inform consumers. The reason I say this is: A multi-year independent scientific study was conducted under the direction of the California Attorney General’s Office with the goal of measuring formaldehyde levels in salons.
Formaldehyde levels in the salon environment
It took more than a year to complete as many sizes and types of salons were tested during winter and summer in both Northern and Southern California. This study conclusively demonstrated that formaldehyde levels in nail salons are no different from levels expected in other typical workplaces where nail products are not used. Interestingly, during the study, it was observed that formaldehyde levels were highest in the morning when salons opened, then steadily decreased throughout the morning, and plateaued at typically lower levels in the afternoon.
Why does formaldehyde accumulate overnight?
If the salon is closed at night, trace amounts of formaldehyde gas can accumulate, just like in a normal closed space. Traces slowly disappear from building materials such as carpet adhesive and plywood. Once the salon opens and air begins to circulate, formaldehyde levels will return to normal levels. Still, the air concentrations measured in the nail salon study were all considered safe.
Official survey results on nail salon safety
When the study was completed and the final report was released, California government officials determined that levels of formaldehyde in nail polishes, treatments, and hardeners in salons are all regulated, based on extensive salon exposure data. It was decided that So low that there is no need to warn consumers. In other words, even under perhaps the world’s strictest formaldehyde regulations, nail polish does not release formaldehyde gas into the air and poses any health risks.
Misconceptions about formaldehyde in nail products
This is because nail polish has never contained formaldehyde gas as an ingredient. Fear-based advocacy groups are making consumers believe it’s true, but this is just a big deception aimed at scaring friends, family, and customers into donating money. . Gases in nail polish are present in very small amounts, for example 0.0001% or 1/10,000th of a percent.
About tosylamide formaldehyde resin
Some people confuse a hard polymer resin called tosylamide formaldehyde resin and think that this solid polymer is the same as formaldehyde gas. It’s not even close. Although it can be a source of trace amounts of formaldehyde dissolved in the solution, these are very safe levels and will not cause harm. Some argue that these are dangerous because they release formaldehyde, but so do humans. Because our bodies naturally produce and use formaldehyde on a daily basis, we naturally excrete small amounts of formaldehyde in our breath.
Clarify methylene glycol and formaldehyde levels
Some nail hardening agents contain 1 to 2% methylene glycol. Previously, manufacturers were required to refer to this ingredient by its incorrect name, “formaldehyde,” rather than its correct name, “methylene glycol.” This error has since been fixed, but this is probably where the confusion started. Some advocacy groups ignored the facts and continued to spread misinformation even when informed of the error.
Debunking misinformation about formaldehyde concentrations
These organizations claimed that up to 5% formaldehyde was used in nail polish, which was also a major distortion. When methylene glycol is used as a nail hardener, typically at 2% or less, the container typically contains less than 0.001% dissolved formaldehyde gas, but not enough to cause harm. Even if formaldehyde comes out all at once, it won’t cause any harm. Our bodies naturally expel formaldehyde every time we breathe, and some organic foods, such as apples, also contain formaldehyde.
Safe formaldehyde levels in nail salons
Formaldehyde is not the scary boogeyman these irresponsible groups claim it to be. The claim that there is no safe level of formaldehyde is simply not true. Formaldehyde is not absorbed through the skin or nails, as some falsely claim. The risk of inhalation at high concentrations over long periods of time is a level that can never be reached in nail salons.
Bottom line: Trust the facts about formaldehyde levels
Obviously, nail professionals are not exposed to large amounts of formaldehyde gas and are not at risk of harm from trace traces found in salons and nail polish. Nail salons do not need to monitor formaldehyde levels as the risk is negligible. Don’t let fear-based groups mislead you. Nail polish has been safe for over 80 years and there is no evidence to suggest otherwise.
