Gel Nail Polish Chemical TPO Poses Serious Health Risks.

In 2025, health experts reviewed animal and lab studies on trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), a chemical in gel nail polishes banned in the EU but still used in the US. They examined TPO’s effects on reproduction, cancer risk, and skin reactions, using data from rat, rabbit, and human cell tests.

TPO caused no successful pregnancies in rats at high doses (600 mg/kg/day) and led to fetal malformations in both rats and rabbits, raising infertility concerns. It’s a possible carcinogen due to its chemical structure, though no direct cancer link exists yet. TPO also triggers allergic reactions in 40% of users, causing redness, swelling, and itching, especially in nail techs or frequent users if polish isn’t fully cured.

The US lags behind the EU’s ban, leaving consumers and workers at risk from TPO’s skin penetration, which can worsen inflammation (cell damage in 2015-2021 studies) and add to other chemical exposures. These risks hit harder for pregnant women or those handling polishes daily.

Choose TPO-free gel polishes and ventilate well to cut health risks.