A popular ingredient in gel polish, known as TPO (trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide), is coming under intense scrutiny from international bodies, which are beginning to remove it from salons. This chemical component, once an integral part of nail care, now raises serious concerns regarding its impact on fertility.
TPO functions as a chemical photoinitiator, enabling the instant curing of gel coatings. When wet nails are exposed to UV or LED lamps, TPO absorbs the light, triggers a rapid chemical reaction, and hardens the liquid, creating a strong, chip-resistant finish.
Regulators are implementing the ban not because TPO harms natural nails, but due to more serious warnings. European chemical authorities have classified TPO as a substance that potentially can damage fertility or harm an unborn child. However, it should be noted that the official warning is based on laboratory studies conducted on animals given very high, concentrated oral doses of TPO.
According to Caroline Reynoldsford, Director of Science at the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association (CTPA) in the UK, the TPO molecule decomposes itself upon exposure to UV radiation. Any traces remaining after this are permanently trapped inside the solid plastic layer on the nail. Furthermore, the amount of TPO used in standard manicures is a thousand times less than the levels that cause reproductive function problems in laboratories. The international ban is viewed as an extreme, precautionary measure by European governments, rather than proof that current manicures are actively causing harm.
The essence of the ban is that TPO is an invisible toxin capable of slowly accumulating in the body and disrupting the reproductive system. This is comparable to smoking or inhaling low levels of air pollution: one instance of exposure poses no danger, but prolonged exposure over many years creates a risk.
Regulators' concerns stem from the possibility that manicurists or gel manicure enthusiasts may constantly inhale chemical dust while filing or absorb microscopic amounts through the skin and cuticle for weeks on end. Long-term consequences include:
Health authorities are not banning TPO because people are currently getting sick. The ban is driven by changing trends in the beauty industry. If ten years ago gel coatings were applied only occasionally for special occasions, today millions of people wear gel polish constantly, changing color every two weeks, while technicians spend 8–10 hours a day in these chemical fumes.
As the use of these products has become more widespread, scientists have concluded that the risk of accumulating this chemical substance in the body over a lifetime is too high, thus it is being completely excluded to protect the long-term health of all people. Although local regulatory bodies in South Africa have not yet banned TPO, technically local salons can use it indefinitely; however, the beauty industry is entirely global in nature.
The global community risks failing to meet the United Nations' goal of eradicating AIDS as a public health issue by 2030. The main barriers to this goal are the reduction in international financial support for HIV control programs, lack of funds, and ongoing discrimination among vulnerable populations.
These findings are contained in a special document from the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) titled 'United to End AIDS,' which was presented at the 26th International AIDS Conference. According to UNAIDS data, external aid to developing countries decreased by 18% in 2025, and the annual funding deficit for HIV control reached a substantial amount of $4.3 billion.
The reduction in funding has led to disruptions in prevention, testing, and medical care provision in many countries, especially in programs managed by local non-governmental organizations. Experts also emphasize that stigmatization and existing legal restrictions prevent millions of people from accessing treatment and preventive measures, thereby contributing to the further spread of HIV.
In several countries, laws exist that impose criminal liability for actions such as sex work, drug possession, or homosexual relationships. Because of this, representatives of these groups often fear seeking medical help or participating in prevention activities.
The organization estimates that 49% of all new global HIV infections affect key population groups and their partners. Against this backdrop, the epidemiological situation is worsening in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. In Sub-Saharan Africa, where half of all new infections are recorded, women and adolescent girls account for 60% of those infected, yet only 55% of children living with HIV receive treatment.
Currently, about 41 million people live with HIV, of whom 32.1 million are undergoing antiretroviral therapy. Only 1.2 million new infections were registered in 2025, and 570 thousand people died from AIDS-related causes. The report authors point out that these figures demonstrate a significant lag behind planned targets. Compared to last year, the number of new infections exceeded the target by approximately one million, and mortality was 400 thousand cases higher than expected.
To overcome the current crisis, the report authors propose relying on the updated Global Strategy for 2026–2031 and the UN Political Declaration. These documents aim to ensure the full integration of specialized medical services into national healthcare systems, increase the number of people receiving treatment to 40 million, and introduce modern long-acting injectable drugs, such as lenacapavir, which is administered only twice a year and provides near-complete protection against HIV.
Although feeling hungry late in the evening is sometimes normal, attention should be paid if you regularly experience intense hunger at night and consume more food than during the day. Medical specialists warn that if this situation recurs daily, it should not be ignored, especially if it causes waking up in the middle of the night to eat. In such cases, it may indicate a condition known as nocturnal overeating syndrome.
Nocturnal overeating syndrome is classified as an eating disorder that is often accompanied by sleep problems. People suffering from this syndrome may wake up one or two times at night to eat. At this time, the body prompts the person to consume food. Most often, there is a craving for sweets and high-carbohydrate products, such as chips, sandwiches, or chocolate, which can be ordered online.
The consequences of this pattern include poor well-being in the morning and lack of desire to have breakfast. Regular nighttime overeating, lack of sleep, and skipping breakfast lead to decreased productivity during the day.
According to Dr. L.H. Goteker, medical superintendent at Lady Harding Medical College, there are several possible causes for the development of this syndrome. One factor may be a genetic predisposition passed down through generations. Psychological stress also plays a significant role; stress often exacerbates symptoms by causing increased appetite. Furthermore, if a person does not receive enough food during the day or skips meals, the probability of intense hunger and subsequent nighttime overeating increases.
Dr. Goteker emphasizes the need to first determine whether the patient truly has nocturnal overeating syndrome. If constant intense hunger at night and food consumption after waking up during sleep are observed, a doctor should be consulted. A specialist may suggest cognitive-behavioral therapy—a form of conversation that helps understand certain behavioral patterns and form healthier habits. In some cases, antidepressants are prescribed. Doctors may also recommend progressive muscle relaxation, which serves as a method to relieve tension, relax muscles, and prepare the body for sleep.
