On the skin sensitisation potential of rosin and oxidised rosin

In the EU rosin is classified as a skin sensitiser, apparently on the basis of its oxidation to sensitising agents. Rosin (gum, tall oil or wood) is not a skin sensitiser when examined in the guinea pig maximisation test (GPMT). Oxidised rosins are sensitisers in the GPMT. Oxidised gum rosin was further tested in the mouse local lymph node assay (LLNA) and the Buehler test, but is not a sensitiser in either of these tests. Further, the outcome of the LLNA can be used to assess the potency of oxidised rosin as an inducing agent in humans, and oxidised rosin is, at most, a weak sensitiser in this test. Thus, oxidised rosin is not a potent inducing agent for skin sensitisation unless the dermal barrier is bypassed and/or there is deliberate use of Freund's Complete Adjuvant to induce greater susceptibility. The material used for human patch testing ('colophony') is in oxidised form. A re-examination of epidemiological studies suggests that patients in dermatological clinics show higher response rates than do the general population or those occupationally exposed to presumably oxidised rosin. Thus, the differences seen in susceptibility in the regulatory tests may be reflected in the human population. These results are discussed in terms of possible testing and classification strategies for dealing with existing chemicals, with particular reference to the new European Union legislation.