India, Aug. 26 -- A chemical that hardens gel nail polish under ultraviolet lamps has been pulled from shelves across Britain from August 15, joining a European Union ban imposed last year over concerns that it can damage male reproductive organs at high doses.

The compound, trimethylbenzoyl diphenylphosphine oxide, or TPO, is a near-universal ingredient in the UV and LED gel systems used by nail salons worldwide, including across India.

The UK's prohibition applies to the manufacture and sale of TPO-containing nail polishes. Salons have a grace window until February 14 next year to exhaust the existing stock, but cannot order fresh supplies of the chemical from August 15. The rule applies to England, Scotland and Wales; Northern Irelan...