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Nickel on the Swedish market before the Nickel Directive
Author(s) -
Lidén Carola,
Johnsson Stina
Publication year - 2001
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.1600-0536.2001.440102.x
Subject(s) - nickel , nickel allergy , contact dermatitis , directive , allergic contact dermatitis , contact allergy , medicine , allergy , dimethylglyoxime , european standard , dermatology , metallurgy , materials science , immunology , engineering , architectural engineering , computer science , programming language
Nickel allergy is by far the most frequent contact allergy, affecting 10–15% of women in the general population, and causing dermatitis and hand eczema. The EU Nickel Directive, aimed at the prevention of nickel allergy, comes fully into force by July 2001. The Directive covers piercing materials, items in contact with the skin, and requirements on resistance to wear. We carried out a study of the prevalence on the market, before the Nickel Directive, of items that release nickel and of nickel in piercing posts. Nickel release, as shown by a positive dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test, was detected in 25% of 725 items intended for direct and prolonged contact with the skin. Of 15 posts intended for use during epithelialization after piercing, 60% contained more than 0.05% nickel. These products do not comply with the requirements of the EU Nickel Directive. It is suggested that experts in contact dermatitis participate in the prevention of nickel allergy by explaining its effects: the rôle of skin exposure and which parts of an item are in contact with the skin, and the crucial question of nickel release versus nickel content.