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Nickel release from metal tools in the German hairdressing trade—A current analysis
Author(s) -
Symanzik Cara,
John Swen M.,
Strunk Meike
Publication year - 2019
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 - 10.1111/cod.13251
Subject(s) - nickel , german , dimethylglyoxime , metal , nickel allergy , metallurgy , materials science , contact dermatitis , medicine , immunology , geography , allergy , archaeology
Background Nickel is one of the most common contact allergens. Despite EU regulations concerning the maximum permissible release of nickel from metal objects, nickel release at inappropriately high levels from metal objects has been detected in various studies. Objectives To screen current nickel release from metal tools in the German hairdressing trade. Methods Two hundred and twenty‐nine metal tools from the German hairdressing trade were tested with the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test for nickel release. Additionally, an employee survey was conducted to collect data about the metal tools. Results The DMG test showed that 21 of 229 metal tools (9.2%) released nickel. Nickel release was detected in 8 of 45 hair clips (17.8%), 2 of 27 tail combs (7.4%), and 11 of 17 tweezers (64.7%). Conclusion It must be assumed that hairdressers in Germany have prolonged skin contact with nickel‐releasing metal tools. This should prompt further testing for nickel release from metal tools, and the development of regulations to eliminate nickel‐releasing metal tools in the (German) hairdressing trade.