Detergents and bleaches are sources of chromium contact dermatitis in Israel

Abstract

Total chromium levels were determined in 38 detergents and 12 bleaches on the market in Israel (45 locally produced, 5 imported). The samples were analyzed by Zeeman-corrected graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Chromium levels were higher than 5 ppm in 28 (56%) of the 50 products, from 1 to 5 ppm in 16 (32%), and lower than 1 ppm in only 6 (12%). Among the 5 imported products, only 1 had a chromium level below 1 ppm and the other 4 (1 from Germany, 3 from the USA) had high levels. Since a most 90% of the detergents and bleaches examined contained chromium levels higher than 1 ppm, it is concluded that these consumer products may be the cause of the high incidence of chromium sensitivity in Israel.