Nail Polish, Hairspray Linked to Diabetes

Common ingredient can be dangerous

A new study links a chemical used in certain cosmetics to an increased risk of diabetes among women, according to WXYZ.

Phthalates - a plasticizer companies use to keep products flexible - can be found in perfume, nail polish, hair spray, moisturizers and some soaps.

It was discovered that women who had higher than average levels of phthalates in their system were also 60 percent more likely to develop diabetes.

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The study was conducted by the Brigham and Women's Hospital after analyzing 2,350 urine samples collected by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention.

Under federal regulations, the word "phthalates" does not have to be used on packaging; companies can choose to list the word "fragrance" instead of its specific ingredients which may or may not include the plasticizer.

Phthalates can also be found in some medicines, so researchers have determined more study is needed.

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