Classification as corrosive or irritant to skin of preparations containing acidic or alkaline substances, without testing on animals.
A method is proposed by which substances or preparations may be classified as irritant or corrosive to skin, without being tested on animals, when the irritant or corrosive properties are due to the acidity/alkalinity of the substances or preparations. Results from the application of this approach to a range of commercial cleaning/maintenance/detergent preparations are in good overall agreement with results based on patch testing in rabbits. Variations in the results obtained from analysis of pH and acid/alkali data were no greater than might be expected from variations in results from animal test methods. It is stressed that this approach may not be applicable to preparations containing non-acidic/non-alkaline corrosive or irritant substances, and it cannot be used to classify other aspects of the toxicology of preparations or their ingredients. An official proposal for a calculation method based on concentration limits for corrosivity or irritancy gives similar results, but is limited in application by the lack of identified concentration limits.
Young
J R
JR
The Soap & Detergent Industry Association, P.O. Box No. 9, Hayes Gate House, Hayes, Middx UB4 0JD, England.
How
M J
MJ
Walker
A P
AP
Worth
W M
WM