Irritation Tests: Assessment of Product Safety and Skin Sensitization

What Does Irritation Mean? Why Are Irritation Tests Done? Which Products Are Made?

What is a Biocidal Product?

Biocidal products consist of chemical or biological compounds used to prevent the growth of harmful organisms (microorganisms, insects, fungi) or to destroy them. Many categories such as disinfectants, preservatives, pest control products and antiseptics are included in this group. The use of biocidal products is critical both to protect public health and to ensure hygiene in the food and agriculture sectors.

Biocidal Product Types

Biocidal products are divided into different categories according to their effects and areas of use. Here are the main types of biocidal products:

1. Disinfectants and General Biocidal Products: Used for hygiene in homes, hospitals and food processing facilities. Hand sanitizers, surface cleaners, antiseptic solutions.
2. Preservatives: Used to prevent spoilage of products. Wood preservatives, paint preservatives, cosmetic preservatives.
3. Pest Control Products: Used to control insects, rodents and pests. Insect sprays, rat poisons, mosquito repellents.
4. Water Treatment Products: Used to purify pool or drinking water from harmful microorganisms. Pool chlorine, water disinfectants.

Biocidal products must pass efficacy and irritation tests for safe use.

What is Irritation? Irritation Tests in Biocidal Products

Irritation refers to adverse reactions such as irritation, redness, itching or swelling of the skin, eyes or mucous membranes when exposed to a substance. Chemical compounds or biocidal products can cause irritation by weakening the skin barrier. Irritation is different from an allergic reaction because it is not related to the immune system and usually improves when exposure to the irritant ceases.

In our daily lives, we use many cosmetics, detergents, soaps, biocidal products and other products containing different chemicals. These products, which show different side effects depending on skin sensitivity, undergo various tests and analyzes until they reach the consumer. One of the most important of these tests is “Irritation Tests”.

Irritation can be defined as local irritation of a material or chemical on the skin or mucosal tissues. Irritation tests are performed due to skin disorders that may be caused by chemical-based products in contact with the skin. Irritation tests are performed for cosmetic products as well as biocidal products that have been used in large quantities during the pandemic period. Irritation tests are among the mandatory tests performed especially on hand and surface disinfectants and antiseptics.

At the same time, irritation tests performed for biocidal products and cosmetics to obtain sales permits must be carried out in accredited laboratories within the scope of certain standards in line with product specifications.

“Irritation Tests”, a method used to determine in vivo skin irritation, are performed by mechanical measurement of cell viability in human epidermis (RhE) tissues. Chemicals that reduce relative viability to ≤ 50% are classified as irritants (and potentially corrosive), while those that result in >50% relative viability are not classified as skin irritants.

As a result, irritation tests are important analyses performed on cosmetic, biocidal products on the market. They are also important analyzes in terms of human health that should be carried out in accredited and authorized laboratories.

Nano-lab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Irritation Tests . We also provide services in Stability Tests.

Contact us for more information.

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