title: Experimental skin deposition of chromium on the hands following handling of samples of leather and metal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chromium is an important skin sensitizer. Exposure to it has been regulated in cement, and recently in leather. Studies on the deposition of chromium ions on the skin as a result of handling different chromium-containing materials are sparse, but could improve the risk assessment of contact sensitization and allergic contact dermatitis caused by chromium.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the handling of chromium-containing samples of leather and metal results in the deposition of chromium onto the skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Five healthy volunteers participated. For 30 min, they handled samples of leather and metal known to contain and release chromium. Skin deposition of chromium was assessed with the acid wipe sampling technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acid wipe sampling of the participants' fingers showed chromium deposition on the skin in all participants who had been exposed to leather (range 0.01-0.20 µg/cm(2) ) and in 3 of 5 participants after they had manually handled metal discs (range 0.02-0.04 µg/cm(2) ).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found that samples of leather and metal had the ability to deposit chromium on the skin at significant levels, in spite of a short duration of exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, National Allergy Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Hellerup, 2900, Denmark.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bregnbak
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, National Allergy Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Hellerup, 2900, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jacob P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Thyssen
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Surface Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby 2800, Denmark.
authors.forename: Morten S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Jellesen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte University Hospital, Hellerup, 2900, Denmark.
authors.forename: Claus
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zachariae
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermato-Allergology, National Allergy Research Centre, Copenhagen University Hospital Gentofte, Hellerup, 2900, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jeanne D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Johansen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002857:Chromium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000737:chemistry*; D013633:Tanning
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D002857:Chromium
keywords: acid wipe test; allergic chromium dermatitis; allergy; chromium; dermatitis; leather; metals; potassium dichromate