NICKEL RELEASE FROM METALS, AND A CASE OF ALLERGIC CONTACT-DERMATITISFROM STAINLESS-STEEL

The prevalence of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by nickel i s increasing. The probable cause is the increased use of nickel-contai ning metals in intimate contact with the skin. The critical factor is the amount of nickel released from these metals (bioavailable nickel) onto the skin. In the present study, we determined, with name atomic a bsorbtion spectrometry, the amount of nickel released into synthetic s weat from metal samples. The results of this method were compared with the results of the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test, which is considered t o be a reliable means of identifying whether nickel-containing metals may cause allergy symptoms in sensitive individuals. Out of 10 samples studied, only small amounts (< 0.5 mu g/cm(2)/week) were released fro m 2 samples, and the DMG test was negative. From 5 samples, more than 0.5 mu g/cm(2)/week was released, and the DMG test was positive. For 3 samples, however, the DMG test was negative, though the flame atomic absorption spectrometry test showed considerable release of nickel. Th erefore, although the DMG test can be used as a first line test for de termining nickel release, some DMG-negative metal materials probably i nduce nickel sensitization, and should by no means be advertised as sa fe in this respect. We also report a nickel-allergic patient who devel oped ACD from stainless steel, indicating that some types of stainless steel release enough nickel to elicit allergic symptoms.