[Quantitative determination of the irritating effect on human skin of butanol, octanol, acetaldehyde and...

A method was elaborated for quantitative assessment of the irritating effect of the solvents after a 24-hour contact with healthy subjects. The irritating effect of octanol is weaker, with statistical significance, than that of butanol. Croton aldehyde proved to be the strongest irritator. The threshold skin irritating concentrations are 12% octanol, 7.8% butanol, 1.2% acetaldehyde and 0.12% croton aldehyde in plant oil. The following allergic concentrations in plant oil are recommended for epicutaneous testing of subjects with occupational or every day home contact allergy versus paints, varnishes, glues, cleaning and defatting agents and anticorrosive preparations: 6% octanol, 4% butanol, 0.6% acetaldehyde and 0.06% croton aldehyde.