[Influence of soap and Syndet upon alkali resistance (author's transl)].

The alkali resistance test data of 189 metal workers (66 female, 123 male) and 28 college students (12 female, 16 male) was analysed by means of correlation analysis and "Vorzeichentest" relative to the dependence on age group and sex as well as the difference of the right- and left- arm-alkali resistance. The results showed no significant differences. The right-left comparison of a soap and synthetic detergent-washing of the forearms of 14 college students (7 female, 7 male) and 11 metal workers (2 female, 9 male), repeated after 4 and 8 weeks respectively, which was carried out in the following without age and sex differentiation, showed that the synthetic detergent washing had less influence on the alkali resistance than the soap washing. The interpretation of alkali resistance testing should be based upon knowledge about time and modus of previous washing and occupational exposure.