title: Nickel on the market: a baseline survey of articles in 'prolonged contact' with skin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In April 2014, the European Chemicals Agency defined the concept of 'prolonged contact with skin' as used in the EU nickel restriction.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To establish a baseline of nickel-releasing items on the Swedish market conforming with the EU nickel restriction according to the definition of 'prolonged contact' with the skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a limited market survey in Stockholm, Sweden. Items with metallic parts that come into contact with the skin, except those explicitly mentioned in the legal text, were chosen. The dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test was used to evaluate nickel release.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and forty-one items belonging to one of three categories - accessories, utensils for needlework, painting and writing (called utensils), and electronic devices - were tested in the study. Forty-four percent of all items were DMG test-positive (releasing nickel), and 9% gave a doubtful DMG test result.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The large proportion of nickel-releasing items in the present study shows clearly that broader parts of industry need to take action to prevent nickel allergy. The high proportion of DMG test-positive items indicates that there is still much work to be done to reduce the nickel exposure of the population.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Evelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ringborg
authors.affiliation: Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lidén
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anneli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Julander
mesh_terms: D040421:Cell Phone; D003201:Computers; D003257:Consumer Product Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology; D005062:European Union; D006686:Hobbies; D006801:Humans; D008420:Manufactured Materials / Q000032:analysis*; D009532:Nickel / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D010091:Oximes; D013548:Sweden
chemical_list: D010091:Oximes; C013501:dimethylglyoxime; D009532:Nickel
keywords: dimethylglyoxime test; exposure analysis; market survey; nickel release