Assessment of nickel release from earrings randomly purchased in China and Thailand using the dimethylglyoxime test

Abstract

Excessive nickel release was frequent. This may contribute to the high prevalence of nickel allergy in both countries. Increased public education together with the adoption of a regulatory intervention in Thailand may be warranted. In China, enforcement of the 2002 Chinese National Standard GB 11887 may assist in reducing sensitization. These initiatives may eventually result in decreased morbidity among the Chinese and Thai citizens, but can potentially benefit recipient countries of these important earring producing countries.

Surveillance of contact allergies: methods and results of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK)

“…The concern raised by our epidemiological findings prompted state agencies to analyse samples of costume jewellery, showing that a substantial number of objects still did release high amounts of nickel (40). In line with these findings, studies from Europe, United States and East Asia (from which costume jewellery is often imported into the EU) also showed a high percentage of products releasing considerable amounts of Nickel (41)(42)(43). Thus, a partial failure of the nickel directive has been identified.…”

Assessment of Nickel and Cobalt Release From Jewelry From a Non–Nickel Directive Country

“…Quantitative measurements using the EN 1811 reference method or x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy are expensive, time consuming, and potentially destructive to the test items. 12 Hamann et al, 3 using DMG tests, found that nickel release from earrings randomly purchased in China and Thailand was 31.5% and 29.2%, respectively. 11,13,16 The DMG test is used widely in clinical practice and by nickel-allergic individuals at home.…”

“…The legislation controls the amount of nickel released from products intended for direct and prolonged contact with the skin to not more than 0.5 Kg/cm 2 per week. 3,12 Cobalt is a hard metal and is commonly used in combination with other metals such as nickel, chromium, and tungsten to increase hardness and durability. 8,25 This type of nickel regulation has not been introduced in the United States and most Asian countries, including Thailand; however, regulations were announced in China and Korea in 2002 and 2012, respectively.…”

Mobile Phone Dermatitis in Children and Adults: A Review of the Literature

“…2 Nickel may be released from a wide variety of commonplace items, such as jewelry, belt buckles, zippers, buttons, snaps, glasses, coins, and keys. [3][4][5][6][7] Nickel release in amounts that are sufficient to elicit ACD in nickel-sensitized individuals may be easily evaluated in a quick, nondestructive manner using the nickel dimethylglyoxime spot test (DMG). 8 More recently, items such as mobile phones, laptop computers, video game controllers, and other technology accessories have also provided sources of nickel sensitization and ACD.…”