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"Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

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"Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

Postby ParrotMan82 » Sun Jan 08, 2017 5:31 pm

Hey everyone. My wife bought this "non-toxic" nail polish that doesn't test on animals but I don't know if any of the ingredients are harmful. Would anyone know if any of these ingredients off hand create fumes that could endanger them? Thanks.

Aqua (water)
Polyurethane-35 (resin)
Acrylic/VP Crosspolymer (resin)
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (resin)
Triethanolamine (less than 2%)
Glycerine (less than 2%)
Laureth-21 (1% or less)
And may contain (0-4%, varies per colour):
Polyethylene Terephthalate (glitter)
MICA
CI 11710 (yellow pigment)
CI 77266 (black pigment)
CI 74160 (blue pigment)
CI 77000 (aluminium powder)
CI 77891 (titanium white)
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Re: "Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

Postby Bird woman » Sun Jan 08, 2017 6:02 pm

None of that stuff sounds any good :shock: I could take the time and look up each ingredient but you could to. Honestly I would not even think about painting my fingernails or removing polish around my birds. Ala natural is best they have such a sensitive respatory system. BW
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Re: "Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

Postby ParrotMan82 » Sun Jan 08, 2017 6:14 pm

As far as I know most of it is safe. From my research the only thing of some concern is the Triethanolamine. I'm not entirely sure about the Polyurethane-35 though.
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Re: "Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

Postby Loriusgarrulus » Sun Jan 08, 2017 10:33 pm

A lot of these companies that say they don't test on animals and then the ingredients are full of chemicals just use someone elses test results, so a bit hypocritical.
Most nail varnishes give of fumes when drying so I would avoid using them anywhere near birds.
The non-toxic label unless it states otherwise applies to human toxicity not birds who are more sensitive to fumes than we are.
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Re: "Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

Postby Wolf » Mon Jan 09, 2017 6:23 am

The ingredients as listed are relatively safe for humans in small amounts and even safer after they have fully dried and cured, but this does not apply to parrots.

Polyurethane does give off fumes while it is drying and curing, I know this for a fact as I use a fair amount of it in some of my woodworking and the can also says to use it only in a well ventilated area. I would not consider glitter to be safe for any bird. While I do not know what glitter is made of and so can't say whether it is toxic in that manner, I do know that glitter has a lot of sharp edges and is hard which leads me to the conclusion that even if not toxic it could still cut up the birds digestive tract if ingested.

My Lady works at an art supply house and I know that titanium white is toxic enough that it must be shipped with a hazardous material information sheet. I would consider all of the resins to be toxic, but some of that could just be me playing it safe for my birds.
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Re: "Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

Postby Pajarita » Mon Jan 09, 2017 12:08 pm

If your wife paints her nails away from the birds, allows them to dry thoroughly before she interacts them with and the birds don't chew on them, it's OK. The problem is that birds are very attracted to color and usually love to chew on nails (at least, mine do and that's why I only get a mani when I am going somewhere but take the polish off when I come back and before I deal with my birds) but, if yours don't and her nails are completely dry before she interacts with them, I don't see any danger.
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Re: "Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

Postby ParrotMan82 » Tue Jan 10, 2017 4:38 pm

I think the glitter is mica, but I'm not sure. I had a talk with her and basically said that she should do it in another room and let it dry. I also said that she shouldn't let them chew on her nails. Good luck with that >.<
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Re: "Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

Postby DanaandPod » Sun Feb 19, 2017 8:24 pm

I have let my nails dry in the same room as my parrots. :/ Its food for thought. I likely may again though... Nobodys died yet. I open my windows daily though for an exchange... For what its worth. Only my toe nails are an attraction for biting. Actually my feet in general. I have to put shoes on first thing in the morning. Im glad you dont paint your birds nails! Which was my fear when i read the title.
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Re: "Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

Postby alienlady » Mon Feb 20, 2017 8:06 am

Without wishing to upset anyone but I probably will, I have a rule in my home. If it is scented or a strong aroma , don't use it.
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Re: "Non-Toxic" Nail Polish

Postby Pajarita » Mon Feb 20, 2017 2:25 pm

Well, personally, I don't use anything that has fumes (like nail polish, nail polish remover, oven cleaner, paint thinner, etc) inside the house but I don't think that all scents are 'created equal'. Not that I would light a scented candle or anything like that but I do simmer potpourri I make myself (nothing complicated, citrus peels, cardamom, cinnamon sticks, star anise - that kind of stuff) when I am going to be having company and I do wear perfume when I go out.
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