Evaluation of the ocular-irritation potential of 56 compounds

The ocular irritancy of 56 chemicals was tested in the rabbit eye, with and without rinsing, using a procedure that complied with the main requirements of three protocols, namely those proposed by the Association Française de Normalisation (AFNOR) in 1982 and by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development in 1979 for the testing of chemicals and that published by the French authorities (Journal Officiel 21 April 1971, p. 3862; ibid 5 June 1973, p. 3953) for the testing of cosmetics and toiletries. The results obtained were used to establish the extent to which the assessment of a chemical's irritation potential was affected by the differences between the three protocols in respect of the observation times prescribed, the inclusion and timing of rinsing, the number of animals used and the interpretation procedure. Conclusions were also drawn about the influence of the physical state and pH of a material on its potential irritancy and about the level of irritancy that necessitates the use of eye protection.