Detergents and bleaches are sources of chromium contact dermatitis in Israel.
Total chromium levels were determined in 38 detergents and 12 bleaches on the market in Israel (45 locally produced, 5 imported). The samples were analyzed by Zeeman-corrected graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Chromium levels were higher than 5 ppm in 28 (56%) of the 50 products, from 1 to 5 ppm in 16 (32%), and lower than 1 ppm in only 6 (12%). Among the 5 imported products, only 1 had a chromium level below 1 ppm and the other 4 (1 from Germany, 3 from the USA) had high levels. Since a most 90% of the detergents and bleaches examined contained chromium levels higher than 1 ppm, it is concluded that these consumer products may be the cause of the high incidence of chromium sensitivity in Israel.
Ingber
A
A
Department of Dermatology, Hadassah Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
Gammelgaard
B
B
David
M
M
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D002857:Chromium / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D003902:Detergents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D004485:Eczema / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D016877:Oxidants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification; D010328:Patch Tests; D011192:Potassium Dichromate / Q000009:adverse effects; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification
D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D003902:Detergents; D016877:Oxidants; D002857:Chromium; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite; D011192:Potassium Dichromate