[Dermatological evaluation of a flame retardant, hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) on guinea pig by using the primary irritation, sensitization, phototoxicity and photosensitization of skin].

Abstract

As one of the projects in the safety evaluation of chemical constituents in common house-hold products, effects of hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) were evaluated by primary skin irritation, skin sensitization, phototoxicity and photosensitization using guinea pigs. Primary skin irritation was not observed in HBCD emulsified in distilled water by the Draize test method. Skin sensitization test was carried out according to the maximization test method of Magnusson and Kligman. For this test, HBCD was dissolved in olive oil to give 5, 0.5 and 0.05%. When induction of sensitization occurred, challenged doses of 0.005, 0.05, 0.5 and 5% of HBCD (dissolved in acetone) were applied to its respective sensitized groups. The results showed that the induction dose of greater than 0.5% and the challenge dose of greater than 0.05% elicited a positive response. The increase in the concentration of induction and challenge doses did not further increase the percentage of positive response or the intensity of skin response. Phototoxicity test was carried out with 0, 0.5 and 5% of HBCD dissolved in acetone. Phototoxicity was not observed at all HBCD concentration tested. Photosensitization test was performed according to the Sato's adjuvant-strip method. The skin sensitization and challenge reaction doses were 5 and 0.5% and 0 and 0.5% HBCD (dissolved in acetone), respectively, and no positive reaction was observed. It is clear from the foregoing results that HBCD is a mild skin allergen.