English Abstract

Latest Trends of Skin Sensitization Test Methods

Yosuke MAEDA
Chemicals Evaluation and Research Institute, Japan, Kitakatushika-gun, Saitama, Japan
Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi,(2021),94(6),177-181 General Review in Japanese

Rubber products such as gloves and masks are indispensable in a medical workplace etc., where hygienic measures are required. However, rubber products sometimes cause health problems such as allergic disorders. Allergies caused by rubber products include immediate-type latex allergy and delayed-type allergic contact dermatitis. In particular, chemicals deliberately added in working processes of rubbers such as vulcanization accelerator sometimes cause allergic contact dermatitis, so it is very important to evaluate their allergic potentials by skin sensitization tests. Although animal tests have been the mainstream for skin sensitization tests for a long time, non-animal alternative test methods are becoming mainstream for animal welfare reasons. This review describes the latest trends of skin sensitization test methods.

Keywords: Allergy, Chemicals, Rubber Products, Skin Sensitization Test, Non-animal Alternative Test