Probabilistic assessment of exposure to nail cosmetics in French consumers

•A probabilistic exposure assessment of nail cosmetics has been conducted in French consumers.•Dermal, inhalation and oral routes were assessed.•The main route of exposure to varnishes was the ungual route, followed by inhalation.•This work provided basis for future absorption toxicological studies.

The aim of this study was to assess probabilistic exposure to nail cosmetics in French consumers. The exposure assessment was performed with base coat, polish, top coat and remover. This work was done for adult and child consumers. Dermal, inhalation and oral routes were taken into account for varnishes. Exposure evaluation was performed for the inhalation route with polish remover.The main route of exposure to varnishes was the ungual route. Inhalation was the secondary route of exposure, followed by dermal and oral routes. Polish contributed most to exposure, regardless of the route of exposure. For this nail product, P50 and P95 values by ungual route were respectively equal to 1.74 mg (kg bw week)−1 and 8.55 mg (kg bw week)−1 for women aged 18-34 years. Exposure to polish by inhalation route was equal to 0.70 mg (kg bw week)−1 (P50) and 5.27 mg (kg bw week)−1 (P95). P50 and P95 values by inhalation route were respectively equal to 0.08 mg (kg bw week)−1 and 1.14 mg (kg bw week)−1 for consumers aged 18-34 years exposed to polish remover. This work provided current exposure data for nail cosmetics, and a basis for future toxicological studies of the uptake of substances contained in nail cosmetics in order to assess systemic exposure.