Miriam Diamond, an environmental chemist and professor at the University of Toronto, has flagged very serious health concerns regarding the safety of trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide. This chemical is often used in gel manicures. Fortunately, earlier this month, the European Union set a courageous precedent by banning this toxic ingredient. They listed concerns about reproductive toxicity as the primary justification for their action.
Trimethylbenzyl diphenylphophine oxide is a very strong photoinitiator allowing these gel nail products to polymerize quickly. When this coating is exposed to UV light, it activates the curing reaction. This chemical is pretty much essential if you want any hope of delivering that durable, shiny finish that consumers are clamoring for. As experts such as Diamond remind us, we must proceed carefully. The EU’s discoveries paint a picture of it being a health hazard.
The EU’s ban has already triggered debate about a similar move by Canada. Environmental toxicologist, Miriam Diamond makes the case that the potential dangers posed by trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide need to be taken seriously. She’s not the only one convinced that this beautiful ingredient is synonymous with the beauty industry. Yet, in the absence of comprehensive safety data, these serious concerns about its long-term impact on human health remain unanswered.
Diamond goes on to note that reproductive toxicity is an important area of doubly regulatory concern. The EU’s regulatory body, the European Chemicals Agency, has already classified trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide as a substance of very high concern. This classification was a result of its known harmful impacts on reproductive health. This classification has forced producers to change formulations or eliminate the active ingredient from their formulations altogether.
This ban has become a national flashpoint. Canada is actively overhauling its chemical regulations and product safety standards in the beauty space. Diamond advocates for an upstream, or proactive, approach. He’s calling on Canadian regulators to review the safety of trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, and to move towards adopting restrictions like those in the EU.
The beauty industry is getting more and more flak for using dangerous chemicals whose effects on consumers are unclear. Diamond’s insights resonate with a growing swell of scientists and public health advocates. They are calling for more comprehensive laws to regulate what is in cosmetics and personal care products. Consumers are insisting that the products they buy are safe. This growing concern is leading to increasing pressure on beauty brands to remove toxic chemicals from their products.
