Identification of irritation and corrosion hazards to skin: an alternative strategy to animal testing.

To date the use of in vitro/alternative tests to achieve formal classification in the EEC of the toxic properties of new substances is very limited. An opportunity exists in the area of skin irritation/corrosivity to adopt a strategic approach which will limit the need to use animals. The approach would involve use of human skin in vitro to identify corrosive materials followed by ethically approved human patch testing. In the patch test, the irritation potential of the substance or preparation would be judged against a suitable positive irritant control. In addition to the avoidance of the use of animals, a further benefit would be that use of human skin should lead to a more relevant classification of skin irritation/corrosion hazard for humans.