Chromium and cobalt release from metallic earrings from the Danish market
Michael Wennervaldt1, Malin G Ahlström1,2, Torkil Menné1
1National Allergy Research Centre, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Copenhagen University Hospital Herlev-Gentofte, Hellerup, Denmark.
Background:
Chromium and cobalt are important skin sensitizers. It has, however, been difficult to identify causative exposures. Studies on nickel allergy have demonstrated piercing as critical for both sensitization and elicitation. It may be speculated that the same applies for chromium and cobalt.
Objective:
To examine the content and release of chromium and cobalt from earrings randomly purchased in Denmark.
Methods:
Three hundred four earrings were examined with x-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. Earrings with measured content of chromium or cobalt were spot tested with diphenylcarbazide spot test (n = 166) or Nitroso-R spot-test (n = 99), respectively. Chromium and cobalt release were quantified in a selected subsample (n = 100) with the artificial sweat test (EN 1811).
Results:
Chromium was present in 54.6% (166/304) of earrings and cobalt was present in 72.0% (219/304),- measured by XRF. All chromium spot tests for chromium VI were negative. The cobalt spot test was positive for one component. Chromium release was found from 59/100 (median concentration = -0.06 μg/cm2 /week) and cobalt release from 29/100 (median concentration = -0.06 μg/cm2 /week) of earrings in tested subsample.
Conclusion:
Earrings for piercing release chromium and cobalt and may on a case basis be a source of chromium and cobalt allergy.
Related Concept Videos
02:32Bonding in Metals
02:58Crystal Field Theory - Octahedral Complexes
To explain the observed behavior of transition metal complexes (such as colors), a model involving electrostatic interactions between the electrons from the ligands and the electrons in the unhybridized d orbitals of the central metal atom has been developed. This electrostatic model is crystal field theory (CFT). It helps to understand, interpret, and predict the colors, magnetic behavior, and some structures of coordination compounds of transition metals.
CFT focuses on...
02:58Properties of Transition Metals
02:51Metal-Ligand Bonds
In these complexes, transition metals form coordinate covalent bonds, a kind of Lewis acid-base interaction in which both of the electrons in the bond are contributed by a donor (Lewis base) to an electron acceptor (Lewis acid). The Lewis acid in...
02:37Metallic Solids
All metallic solids exhibit high thermal and electrical conductivity, metallic luster, and malleability....
03:02Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...