Eye and skin irritation tests to assess the safety of Jeju saline groundwater

Abstract

Saline groundwater was obtained from a 100-m deep basalt layer into which seawater had infiltrated. This groundwater is known to contain various minerals. Like deep seawater, saline groundwater is expected to have various applications due to the presence of biologically beneficial minerals. In Korea, saline groundwater is mainly obtained from the coastal area of Jeju. Before applying saline groundwater to various products, however, its biological safety needs to be examined. In the present study, skin and eye irritation tests were performed to assess the safety of saline groundwater according to the guidelines of the Korea Food and Drug Administration. When compared to control, Jeju saline groundwater showed no level of eye and skin irritation. These results suggest that Jeju saline groundwater induces no irritation, and is therefore sufficiently safe to be applied to the eye and skin of people.