Hydrocarbon-Based Weapons Maintenance Compounds Produce Evidence of Contact Hypersensitivity in Balb/C Mice

Abstract

Unprotected dermal contact with weapons maintenance materials is highly probable during cleaning and maintenance of firearms. Several weapons maintenance materials of interest to the Department of Defense were evaluated for their irritating and sensitizing potential in a modified local lymph node assay (LLNA). Female BALB/c mice (n = 5) were topically exposed to Break-Free CLP, Royco 634, TW-25B, MC-25, or MC-2500. All compounds tested produced a positive response for irritancy and lymphocyte proliferation. Break-Free CLP and Royco 634 produced the greatest dermal irritation and highest LLNA stimulation index. Phenotyping of draining lymph node cells from animals treated with Break-Free CLP suggest that this material induces T-cell-mediated contact sensitization (Type IV hypersensitivity) in mice. These findings support the recommendation that persons handling or using weapons maintenance materials should protect their skin from repeated contact by wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

Safety assessment of chromium by exposure from cosmetic products

“…In this case study, Local Lymph Node Assay (LLNA) was considered as the best approach to the identification of contact senitization of Cr(VI) in cosmetic products. The contact sensitization potential for Cr has been established by LLNA as an alternative approach to skin sensitization test (Kimber et al, 1995;Dearman et al, 1999;Dearman and Kimber, 2001;Arfsten et al, 2006;Gerberick et al, 2006). In 2002, the LLNA was incorporated into a new test guideline by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) (Cockshott et al, 2006).…”