dimethylglyoxime and Dermatitis--Occupational

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.. To screen current nickel release from metal tools in the German hairdressing trade.. 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.. 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%).. 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.

Topics: Beauty Culture; Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Germany; Humans; Nickel; Oximes

Topics: Adult; Calorimetry; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Metallurgy; Nickel; Oximes

Nickel is the most common cause of contact allergy and an important risk factor for hand eczema. Visualization techniques may be powerful in showing exposures. The dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test might be used to establish skin exposure to nickel.. To develop and evaluate methods for visualization of nickel on the skin by the DMG test and hand imprints.. Nickel solutions at different concentrations were applied in duplicate on the hands in healthy subjects (n = 5). The DMG test and acid wipe sampling for quantification were then performed. Hand imprints were taken after manipulation of nickel-releasing tools (n = 1), and in workers performing their normal tasks (n = 7). The imprints were developed by the DMG test.. The DMG test on hands gave positive results in all subjects. The lowest concentration giving rise to a colour change was set to 0.13 µg/cm(2) for DMG testing on skin. DMG test-developed imprints worked well except when hands were heavily contaminated by other particles/dust.. The DMG test may be used as a simple and powerful tool for visualization of nickel on skin. DMG test-developed hand imprints may, in the future, be used for semi-quantitative or quantitative exposure assessment.

Topics: Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Hand; Humans; Nickel; Occupational Exposure; Oximes; Skin

Nickel and cobalt allergy remain frequent in dermatitis patients. It is important to determine possible nickel and cobalt exposures at work as these may offer important information to regulators and physicians who perform patch testing. Clinical relevance of metal exposure is usually assessed by the treating physician via the medical history and by presentation of allergic contact dermatitis.. To screen unused non-powered hand-held work tools for nickel and cobalt release by using colorimetric spot tests.. A random selection of 200 non-powered hand-held work tools for sale in 2 retailers of home improvement and construction products were analyzed qualitatively for metal release using the colorimetric nickel and cobalt spot tests.. Nickel release was identified from 5% of 200 work tools using the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test. In 8 of 10, positive results were located to the metal ring that acts like a cuff and is located at the end of the grip. The positive DMG test results were not related to specific categories of work tools. The cobalt spot test gave no positive test reactions.. It appears that the proportion of work tools that release nickel, in amounts that may result in allergic nickel dermatitis, has decreased markedly, when results were compared with a Swedish study performed more than a decade ago. No cobalt release was detected but it should be underscored that hard-metal tools were not examined. Other sources of cobalt may explain the relatively high levels of cobalt allergy in dermatitis patients.

Topics: Cobalt; Colorimetry; Denmark; Dermatitis, Occupational; Humans; Nickel; Occupational Exposure; Oximes; Patch Tests

Nickel allergy is prevalent as assessed by epidemiological studies.. In an attempt to further identify and characterize sources that may result in nickel allergy and dermatitis, we analysed items identified by nickel-allergic dermatitis patients as causative of nickel dermatitis by using the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test.. Dermatitis patients with nickel allergy of current relevance were identified over a 2-year period in a tertiary referral patch test centre. When possible, their work tools and personal items were examined with the DMG test.. Among 95 nickel-allergic dermatitis patients, 70 (73.7%) had metallic items investigated for nickel release. A total of 151 items were investigated, and 66 (43.7%) gave positive DMG test reactions. Objects were nearly all purchased or acquired after the introduction of the EU Nickel Directive. Only one object had been inherited, and only two objects had been purchased outside of Denmark.. DMG testing is valuable as a screening test for nickel release and should be used to identify relevant exposures in nickel-allergic patients. Mainly consumer items, but also work tools used in an occupational setting, released nickel in dermatitis patients. This study confirmed 'risk items' from previous studies, including mobile phones.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cell Phone; Child; Consumer Product Safety; Denmark; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; European Union; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nickel; Occupational Exposure; Oximes; Young Adult

Hand eczema as well as nickel contact allergy is prevalent among hairdressers. Recently, two female hairdressers were diagnosed with nickel contact allergy-related hand eczema following prolonged skin contact with scissors and crochet hooks used during work.. To determine the proportion of hairdressers' scissors and crochet hooks that released an excessive amount of nickel and to determine the prevalence of nickel allergy among patch-tested female hairdressers.. Random hairdressers' stores in Copenhagen were visited. The dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test was used to assess excessive nickel release. The prevalence of nickel allergy among female hairdressers from the database at Gentofte Hospital was compared with the prevalence of nickel allergy among other consecutively patch-tested dermatitis patients.. DMG testing showed that 1 (0.5%; 95% CI = 0 - 2.0) of 200 pairs of scissors and 7 (53.8%; 95% CI = 26.0 - 82.0) of 13 crochet hooks released an excessive amount of nickel. The prevalence of nickel allergy was higher among middle-aged and older female hairdressers than among young female hairdressers.. The prevalence of nickel allergy was lower among young hairdressers in comparison to older hairdressers. This may possibly be a result of the European Union (EU) Nickel Directive or a consequence of a decreased use of nickel-releasing work tools in salons. When nickel allergic hairdressers present with hand eczema, their work tools should be investigated for nickel release.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Factors; Beauty Culture; Denmark; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Female; Hand Dermatoses; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nickel; Oximes; Patch Tests; Prevalence; Trace Elements; Young Adult

Nickel dermatitis may be caused by frequent and prolonged use of cell phones. Because little is known about the frequency of nickel release from cell phones, it is difficult to estimate the risk of nickel sensitization and dermatitis among their users.. Inspired by a recent case of nickel dermatitis from prolonged cell phone use, the frequency of dimethylglyoxime (DMG)-positive cell phones on the Danish market was investigated.. Five major cell phone companies were contacted. Two were visited, and the DMG test was performed on a sample of their products.. 5 of 15 (33.3%) phones from company A and 3 of 26 (11.5%) phones from company B showed at least 1 positive reaction. 3 phones had more than 1 positive DMG spots.. This study documents that excessive nickel release (i.e. a positive DMG test) is relatively frequent in a sample of cell phones from the Danish market. Prolonged use of cell phones may in some cases fulfil the criteria for items included in the European Union Nickel Directive. We believe that this new cause of nickel dermatitis should be carefully followed and that regulatory steps may be necessary.

Topics: Adult; Cell Phone; Consumer Product Safety; Denmark; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; European Union; Facial Dermatoses; Female; Humans; Maximum Allowable Concentration; Nickel; Occupational Exposure; Oximes

A new technique for finishing anodized aluminium was introduced during the 1980s--cold impregnation with nickel. Nickel is available on the surface of cold-impregnated aluminium, as shown by the dimethylglyoxime test. Chemical analysis with EDXA showed that nickel was in the form of NiSO4. A case of work-related allergic contact dermatitis in an engraver with nickel allergy is reported. It transpired that the patient was exposed to nickel in connection with aluminium. It is concluded that cold-impregnated aluminium is a new source of nickel exposure, probably previously unknown to dermatologists.

Topics: Adult; Aluminum; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Occupational; Electron Probe Microanalysis; Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; Humans; Male; Metallurgy; Nickel; Oximes