[The implication of trace metals in household products in the causation of contact dermatitis (author's transl)].

The 6 most common fluid and powder detergent brands in use in Austria were analyzed as to their nickel and chromium content. The analysis was carried out by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy. 1. The above-mentioned metals were found to be present in each of the products analysed. On average, the fluid detergents contained ten times less nickel and chromium than the powders. 2. Repeated investigations revealed a considerable variation in metal ion content in different batches of the same detergent. Thus, presumably the raw products already contain nickel and chromium and it is unlikely that these ions get into the products during the manufacturing process. 3. In the appropriately diluted detergent powder solutions, as recommended by the producer, the content of nickel was found to lie between 0.4 ppm and 0.717 ppm and the chromium content ranged from 0.733 to 0.917 ppm. Since powder detergents also contain complex-producing agents, it can be assumed that these concentrations of metal ions do not suffice for sensitization. In the fluid detergents the nickel and chromium contents were found to be below the safety limit for the elicitation of an excematous reaction.