Nail Polish (Triphenyl Phosphate)

Conventional polish containing TPHP as a plasticiser.

58Moderate burden · out of 100

Cleaner swapPolish labelled TPHP-free, and apply in a ventilated room

How this score is built

100Start
81.6Chemical hazard 4 × 4.6−18.4
68Everyday exposure 4 × 3.4−13.6
58Persistence 4 × 2.6−10.4, then rounded to 58
ModerateThe band58 sits in 40–59.

What each input rests on

The three ratings behind the score, and the studies each rests on
Input	Rating	Evidence
Chemical hazard	4/10	unsourced input
Everyday exposure	4/10	Eight of ten nail polishes held up to 1.68% TPHP by weight (two did not list it); after painting fingernails, 26 participants' urinary DPHP rose nearly seven-fold within 10-14 hours, mainly through the skin. Nail polish as a source of exposure to triphenyl phosphate · Environ Int 2016 DOI 10.1016/j.envint.2015.10.005 · PMID 26485058 · Abstract · read 2026-10-16
Persistence	4/10	unsourced input

Ratings are editorial. A study listed here supports the rating; it did not compute it. How the index is built

What this means for you

A study in Environment International measured a clear rise in a TPHP metabolite in urine after participants painted their nails, showing the plasticiser is absorbed rather than staying on the surface. TPHP-free formulations are now widely available and labelled.

Evidence strength: moderate

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Lower-exposure choices

Fragrance-Free Basic SkincareMinimal · Personal Care

All 33 personal care entries, highest burden first →