The aim of the focus campaign was to test nail polishes for preservatives (methylisothiazolinone MI, methylchloroisothiazolinone MCI and benzisothiazolinone BIT) that are banned in leave-on products (cosmetic products that remain on the skin).
Children's nail polishes were selected because they remain on the nails for a long time after application and contact with the neighbouring cuticles is to be expected, especially when used by children.
24 samples from all over Austria were analysed. One sample was rejected:
- Traces of the two banned preservatives (MI and MCI) were detected in a nail polish for children