title: Classification of skin sensitizing substances: a comparison between approaches used by the DFG-MAK Commission and the European Union legislation.
abstract: A systematic classification of substances (or mixtures of substances) with regard to various toxicological endpoints is a prerequisite for the implementation of occupational safety strategies. As its principal task the "Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area" of the "Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft" (DFG-MAK Commission) derives and recommends maximum workplace concentrations and biological tolerance values (MAK and BAT values) based exclusively on scientific arguments. Several endpoints are evaluated separately in detail, e.g. carcinogenicity, risks during pregnancy, germ cell mutagenicity or contribution to systemic toxicity after cutaneous absorption. Skin- and airway sensitization is also considered; the present paper focuses on these two endpoints.
authors.affiliation: Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), University of Göttingen, von-Siebold-Str. 3, 37085 Göttingen, Germany. hlessma1@gwdg.de
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lessmann
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Uter
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Diepgen
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Drexler
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fartasch
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Greim
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hartwig
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kreis
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Löser
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Merget
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Merk
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nowak
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rothe
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stropp
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schnuch
mesh_terms: D003877:Dermatitis, Contact / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005062:European Union; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000145:classification* / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D008297:Male; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000145:classification* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000592:standards; D011247:Pregnancy; D012137:Respiratory System / Q000187:drug effects*; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects*; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances