Carcinogens found in 70 per cent of gel nail polishes tested by Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog
- Watchdog finds harmful chemicals banned by European Union in products from major retailers
- Among polishes tested by council, only eight were found without carcinogens
Hong Kong’s consumer watchdog has found carcinogens in about 70 per cent of gel nail polish tested and has referred the results to customs for further investigation.
Revealing its findings on Thursday, the Consumer Council said 17 out of the 25 gel nail polishes it examined contained at least one type of carcinogen banned by the European Union.
“It is quite a surprise to us as well finding out that these gel nail polishes contain [a number] of carcinogens and also the use of banned ingredients,” council chief executive Gilly Wong Fung-han said.
“On this basis, we would urge the manufacturers to look into their formulation … and improve the quality and safety level of the product immediately.”
Gel polish, a popular alternative to its regular counterpart, hardens when placed under ultraviolet (UV) light in a process known as curing, making it more durable.
The watchdog tested products from major retailers, with prices ranging from HK$88 (US$11) to HK$238 per bottle.
The council found 14 models contained at least one or two types of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are harmful contaminants commonly found in plastics and banned by the EU. Naphthalene was detected in 13 of these products, at levels ranging from 0.01mg to 0.20mg, with one sample containing 0.01mg of benzo[a]anthracene and another product with 0.01mg of anthracene.
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The samples with the highest concentration of naphthalene were HOMEI’s Weekly Gel and OPI’s Gel Color-Soluble/Soak off.
Other banned carcinogens detected included formaldehyde found in three samples, and benzene in one product. The product with the highest levels of formaldehyde was Color Gel from Hi GEL, at 0.010 per cent, or 10mg/kg, while Madam Glam’s Soak-off Gel Polish was the only sample with benzene at 0.26mg/kg.
The council said it had referred the results to the Customs and Excise Department for a follow-up investigation, adding it recommended consumers avoid using products containing benzene as it was a known carcinogen for humans.
All the tested products were also found to contain the organic solvent toluene, but the amounts were within EU limits set for nail polish. Exposure to the chemical can cause immediate symptoms such as irritation, headaches and muscle fatigue, while long-term effects include possible damage to the liver, nervous system and fetuses.
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In a reply to the council, Madam Glam said it had sent product safety information and a certificate to the watchdog to prove that the formulas did not contain toluene and benzene. The company also said its manufacturer would send samples to a third-party laboratory to find out how the polishes were contaminated.
A representative for HOMEI told the watchdog that trace amounts of PAHs were unavoidable in the production process, adding the manufacturer would also examine the cause of the contamination.
Among the polishes tested by the council, eight did not contain any EU-banned carcinogens. Out of these products, five were given the highest rating by the watchdog, and they included two of the most expensive samples and also the cheapest one.
Brush on Unlimited Color Gel from Presto LEDGEL and Essie’s essie.gel-gel nail color were the two priciest polishes, both costing HK$238 per bottle, while BEHOLD’s Professional Gel Polish was HK$88.
“For consumer safety, if products contain banned carcinogens and there is a relatively large risk, we will recommend that people avoid using them,” Wong said. “Why not select safer products?”
The Post has contacted Hi GEL, HOMEI and OPI for comment.
