Nickel and Cobalt Release from Belt Buckles Purchased in Korea

Kwon, Eun Sun; Myung, Ki Bum; Cheong, Seung Hyun

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Among metals, nickel and cobalt are very important contact allergens. They are widely used in products that have direct and prolonged contact with the skin. A frequent cause for nickel-induced allergic contact dermatitis is a nickel-containing belt buckle. The belt buckle showed a relatively high positive rate in the cobalt spot test in our previous study. Studies regarding nickel and cobalt release from belt buckles in Korea have been scarce.
OBJECTIVE
We attempted to assess nickel and cobalt release from belt buckles purchased in Korea by conducting spot tests.
METHODS
Belt buckles of various brands and prices were randomly purchased in Korea. They were tested using the dimethylglyoxime (DMG) test and cobalt spot test for detection of nickel and cobalt release.
RESULTS
A total of 97 belts including 61 brand-name and 36 non-brand-name belts were sampled. Of 91 belt buckles tested using the DMG test, 45 (49.5%) demonstrated a positive reaction. There were statistical differences among the positive rates according to brand/non-brand and price. All belt buckles tested negative for the cobalt spot test. But in the EN1811 test, some belt buckles with a positive reaction in the DMG test showed a low nickel release rate.
CONCLUSION
Although cobalt was not leached, nickel showed a relatively high positive rate in the belt buckles purchased in Korea. Therefore, we suggest that belt buckles purchased in Korea could be a common source of nickel-induced allergic contact dermatitis.