Head space gas Chromatoghic-Mass spectrometric analysis of commericially available nail polish removers and health hazards

In the later years of 21^st Century, nail cosmetics have evolved from luxury to necessity. Nail polish removers are commercially mass manufactured, easily available and frequently used cosmetics in our day to day lives. The increase in usage of nail polish removers has created an opportunity for the local brands to produce low quality products, for lesser prices, which attract the mass. During the production of these low grade products, often, the standard protocols are not followed; cheaper substitutes are used to cut short the production cost. Hence it is important to identify the chemical composition of these products. This is where our study of chemically profiling various local brands of nail polish removers plays its role. Commercially available twenty five samples of such nail polish removers were collected from the market area in and around Delhi. Chemical profiles of each of these samples were obtained using Headspace Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry. Twenty three compounds components were identified during the analysis, out of which many of the compounds have known toxic properties, as they are widely distributed and readily absorbed by inhalation, ingestion or dermal routes.