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Skin irritation from air‐oxidized ethoxylated surfactants
Author(s) -
Bodin Anna,
Fischer Torkel,
Bergh Margareta,
Nilsson J. Lars G.,
Karlberg AnnTherese
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
contact dermatitis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0536
pISSN - 0105-1873
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0536.2000.043002082.x
Subject(s) - transepidermal water loss , irritation , skin irritation , irritant contact dermatitis , chemistry , contact dermatitis , patch test , pulmonary surfactant , dermatology , chromatography , allergy , medicine , stratum corneum , pathology , biochemistry , immunology
Surfactants are known to be skin irritants, but change in their irritant potential due to change in composition during handling and storage has not previously been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of oxidation products on the irritant potential of a non‐ionic ethoxylated alcohol, C 12 E 5 . Pure and oxidized C 12 E 5 were tested, using 2 different patch test procedures; 1 with a single 24 h exposure and 1 with repeated exposures. 18 healthy volunteers participated in each of these studies. Evaluations were made by visual scoring and by measurement of transepidermal water loss and skin blood flow. In the single exposure study, no significant difference in skin irritation was observed between pure C 12 E 5 and a sample of oxidized C 12 E 5 at the concentrations tested (1, 3, 9 and 27%). After repeated exposures, however, the oxidized C 12 E 5 was significantly more irritant than pure C 12 E 5 at the concentrations 9% and 27% ( p <0.05). Non‐ionic ethoxylated surfactants are known for their weak skin irritant effect and are, due to this, often included in products with prolonged contact with the skin, i.e., skin care products. An increased irritant potential after oxidation might be of importance due to the conditions of use.