CONTACT SENSITIZATION - A NEW APPROACH TO RISK ASSESSMENT

The murine local lymph node assay is a novel predictive test for the i dentification of skin sensitizing chemicals. The method measures sensi tization potential of a chemical in mice as a function of proliferativ e activity induced in lymph nodes draining the site of topical exposur e to that test chemical. Here we describe the use of the local lymph n ode assay for evaluation of the relative potency of skin sensitizing c hemicals via derivation of the concentration required to produce a thr eshold positive reaction. Subsequently, the development of risk assess ments based on comparisons with index contact allergens is outlined.