Acetone

• Acetone is the active ingredient in most nail polish removers as well as many cleaning solutions, lacquers and glues, including rubber cement.
  
  

Application

• Nail polish removers are usually applied using a cotton ball or pad. The polish transfers from the nail onto the pad.
  
  

Risk of Poisoning

• Drinking nail polish remover containing acetone can be extremely dangerous, particularly for young children. Acetone poisoning is also referred to as dimethyl formaldehyde poisoning or dimethyl ketone poisoning.
  
  

Damage to Nails

• Acetone is harsh and, if used frequently, can make nails more susceptible to splitting and breaking.
  
  

Safer Alternative

• Non-acetone nail polish removers use ethyl acetate as their active ingredient. According to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, these non-acetone polish removers are less toxic to children and less damaging to nails.