Difference between revisions of "Nickel Directive"

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The '''Nickel Directive''' was a [[European Union directive]] regulating the use of [[nickel]] in jewellery and other products that come into contact with the skin. Since 1 June 2009, it has been subsumed into the [[REACH Regulation]], specifically item 27 of Annex XVII to that regulation.
 
The '''Nickel Directive''' was a [[European Union directive]] regulating the use of [[nickel]] in jewellery and other products that come into contact with the skin. Since 1 June 2009, it has been subsumed into the [[REACH Regulation]], specifically item 27 of Annex XVII to that regulation.
  
[[Allergy]] to nickel is a common cause of [[contact dermatitis]], with roughly 10% of the population in Western Europe and North America being sensitive to nickel.<ref>{{citation | last1 = Schäfer | first1 = T. | last2 = Böhler | first2 = E. | last3 = Ruhdorfer | first3 = S. | last4 = Weigl | first4 = L. | last5 = Wessner | first5 = D. | last6 = Filipiak | first6 = B. | last7 = Wichmann | first7 = H. E. | last8 = Ring | first8 = J. | title = Epidemiology of contact allergy in adults | journal = Allergy | year = 2001 | volume = 56 | issue = 12 | pages = 1192–96 | pmid = 11736749}}.</ref><ref>{{citation | last1 = Krob | first1 = H. A. | last2 = Fleischer | first2 = A. B., Jr. | last3 = D'Agostino | first3 = R., Jr. | last4 = Haverstock | first4 = C. L. | last5 = Feldman | first5 = S. | title = Prevalence and relevance of contact dermatitis allergens: a meta-analysis of 15 years of published T.R.U.E. test data | journal = J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. | year = 2004  | volume = 51 | issue = 3 | pages = 349–53 | pmid = 15337975}}.</ref><ref>{{citation | last1 = Thyssen | first1 = J. P. | last2 = Linneberg | first2 = A. | last3 = Menné | first3 = T. | last4 = Johansen | first4 = J. D. | year =2007 | title = The epidemiology of contact allergy in the general population—prevalence and main findings | journal = Contact Dermatitis | volume = 57 | issue = 5 | pages = 287–99 | doi = 10.1111/j.1600-0536.2007.01220.x | pmid = 17937743}}.</ref> Initial sensitization frequently occurs from jewellery such as ear studs and other body piercings, and nickel allergy is more prevelant among women than men.<ref name="Assay">{{citation | url = http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/nickel_regulated.html | title = Why is Nickel Regulated? | publisher = Birmingham Assay Office | accessdate = 2011-10-12}}.</ref> Once sensitized, an individual can develop contact dermatitis from shorter term contact with nickel-containing products:<ref name="Assay"/> this is a particular problem given the use of nickel in coinage,<ref>{{citation | last1 = Gollhausen | first1 = R. | last2 = Ring | first2 = J. | title = Allergy to coined money: nickel contact dermatitis in cashiers | journal = J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. | year = 1991 | volume = 25 | issue = 2 Pt 2 | pages = 365–69 | doi = 10.1016/0190-9622(91)70206-H | pmid = 1832693}}.</ref><ref>{{citation | first1 = K. W. | last1 = Shum | first2 = J. D. | last2 = Meyer | first3 = Y. | last3 = Chen | first4 = N. | last4 = Cherry | first5 = D. J. | last5 = Gawkrodger | title = Occupational Contact Dermatitis to Nickel: Experience of the British Dermatologists (EPIDERM) and Occupational Physicians (OPRA) Surveillance Schemes | journal = Occup. Environ. Med. | volume = 60 | issue = 12 | year = 2003 | pages = 954–57 | jstor = 27732109}}.</ref> such as the European one- and two-euro coins,<ref>{{citation | last1 = Nestle | first1 = O. | last2 = Speidel | first2 = H. | last3 = Speidel | first3 = M. O. | year = 2002 | title = High nickel release from 1- and 2-euro coins | journal = Nature | volume = 419 | page = 132 | doi = 10.1038/419132a}}.</ref> and the Canadian five-cent piece.<ref group=note>Dispite its common name of "nickel", the U.S. five-cent piece is minted from [[cupronickel]], an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel, which is tolerated much better by nickel-sensitive individuals.</ref> This lead to moves to prevent the initial sensitization of jewellery wearers by limiting the use of nickel in piercing studs and other products which are in prolonged contact with the skin.
+
[[Allergy]] to nickel is a common cause of [[contact dermatitis]], with roughly 10% of the population in Western Europe and North America being sensitive to nickel.<ref>{{citation | last1 = Schäfer | first1 = T. | last2 = Böhler | first2 = E. | last3 = Ruhdorfer | first3 = S. | last4 = Weigl | first4 = L. | last5 = Wessner | first5 = D. | last6 = Filipiak | first6 = B. | last7 = Wichmann | first7 = H. E. | last8 = Ring | first8 = J. | title = Epidemiology of contact allergy in adults | journal = Allergy | year = 2001 | volume = 56 | issue = 12 | pages = 1192–96 | pmid = 11736749}}.</ref><ref>{{citation | last1 = Krob | first1 = H. A. | last2 = Fleischer | first2 = A. B., Jr. | last3 = D'Agostino | first3 = R., Jr. | last4 = Haverstock | first4 = C. L. | last5 = Feldman | first5 = S. | title = Prevalence and relevance of contact dermatitis allergens: a meta-analysis of 15 years of published T.R.U.E. test data | journal = J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. | year = 2004  | volume = 51 | issue = 3 | pages = 349–53 | pmid = 15337975}}.</ref><ref>{{citation | last1 = Thyssen | first1 = J. P. | last2 = Linneberg | first2 = A. | last3 = Menné | first3 = T. | last4 = Johansen | first4 = J. D. | year =2007 | title = The epidemiology of contact allergy in the general population—prevalence and main findings | journal = Contact Dermatitis | volume = 57 | issue = 5 | pages = 287–99 | doi = 10.1111/j.1600-0536.2007.01220.x | pmid = 17937743}}.</ref> Initial sensitization frequently occurs from jewellery such as ear studs and other body piercings, and nickel allergy is more prevelant among women than men.<ref name="Assay">{{citation | url = http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/nickel_regulated.html | title = Why is Nickel Regulated? | publisher = Birmingham Assay Office | accessdate = 2011-10-12}}.</ref> Once sensitized, an individual can develop contact dermatitis from shorter term contact with nickel-containing products:<ref name="Assay"/> this is a particular problem given the use of nickel in coinage,<ref>{{citation | last1 = Gollhausen | first1 = R. | last2 = Ring | first2 = J. | title = Allergy to coined money: nickel contact dermatitis in cashiers | journal = J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. | year = 1991 | volume = 25 | issue = 2 Pt 2 | pages = 365–69 | doi = 10.1016/0190-9622(91)70206-H | pmid = 1832693}}.</ref><ref>{{citation | first1 = K. W. | last1 = Shum | first2 = J. D. | last2 = Meyer | first3 = Y. | last3 = Chen | first4 = N. | last4 = Cherry | first5 = D. J. | last5 = Gawkrodger | title = Occupational Contact Dermatitis to Nickel: Experience of the British Dermatologists (EPIDERM) and Occupational Physicians (OPRA) Surveillance Schemes | journal = Occup. Environ. Med. | volume = 60 | issue = 12 | year = 2003 | pages = 954–57 | jstor = 27732109}}.</ref> such as the European one- and two-euro coins,<ref>{{citation | last1 = Nestle | first1 = O. | last2 = Speidel | first2 = H. | last3 = Speidel | first3 = M. O. | year = 2002 | title = High nickel release from 1- and 2-euro coins | journal = Nature | volume = 419 | page = 132 | doi = 10.1038/419132a}}.</ref> and the Canadian five-cent piece.<ref group=note>Dispite its common name of "nickel", the U.S. five-cent piece is minted from [[cupronickel]], an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel, which is tolerated much better by nickel-sensitive individuals.</ref> This led to moves to prevent the initial sensitization of jewellery wearers by limiting the use of nickel in piercing studs and other products which are in prolonged contact with the skin.
  
 
The Nickel Directive imposes limits on the amount of nickel that may be released from jewellery and other products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin. These limits, known as migration limits, are:
 
The Nickel Directive imposes limits on the amount of nickel that may be released from jewellery and other products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin. These limits, known as migration limits, are:

Revision as of 15:52, 12 October 2011

European Union European Union directive:
Directive 94/27/EC
European Parliament and Council Directive 94/27/EC of 30 June 1994 amending for the 12th time Directive 76/769/EEC on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations
(Text with EEA relevance)
Made by European Parliament and Council
Made under Art. 100a (EC)
Journal reference L188, 22.7.1994, pp. 1–2
History
Made 30 June 1994
Came into force 30 June 1994
Implementation date 30 December 1994
Preparative texts
Commission proposal COM (1993) 134 final, C116, 27.4.1993, p. 18
EESC opinion C304, 10.11.1993, p. 2
EP opinion 2 December 1993, C342, 20.12.1993, p. 15
Other legislation
Amends Dir. 76/769/EEC
Amended by Dir. 2004/96/EC
Replaced by § 27, Ann. XVII, Reg. (EC) No 1907/2006
Status: Repealed

The Nickel Directive was a European Union directive regulating the use of nickel in jewellery and other products that come into contact with the skin. Since 1 June 2009, it has been subsumed into the REACH Regulation, specifically item 27 of Annex XVII to that regulation.

Allergy to nickel is a common cause of contact dermatitis, with roughly 10% of the population in Western Europe and North America being sensitive to nickel.[1][2][3] Initial sensitization frequently occurs from jewellery such as ear studs and other body piercings, and nickel allergy is more prevelant among women than men.[4] Once sensitized, an individual can develop contact dermatitis from shorter term contact with nickel-containing products:[4] this is a particular problem given the use of nickel in coinage,[5][6] such as the European one- and two-euro coins,[7] and the Canadian five-cent piece.[note 1] This led to moves to prevent the initial sensitization of jewellery wearers by limiting the use of nickel in piercing studs and other products which are in prolonged contact with the skin.

The Nickel Directive imposes limits on the amount of nickel that may be released from jewellery and other products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin. These limits, known as migration limits, are:

  • 0.2 µg/cm2/week for post assemblies which are inserted into pierced ears and other pierced parts of the human body;[note 2]
  • 0.5 µg/cm2/week for other products intended to come into direct and prolonged contact with the skin.

Nickel release is measured by a test method known as EN 1811, which involves placing the object in an artificial sweat solution for one week, then measuring nickel by atomic absorption spectroscopy or any other appropriate technique (eg ICP–MS). Other, equivalent test methods may also be accepted.[8] Wear and corrosion can be simulated by a method known as EN 12472.

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Dispite its common name of "nickel", the U.S. five-cent piece is minted from cupronickel, an alloy of 75% copper and 25% nickel, which is tolerated much better by nickel-sensitive individuals.
  2. The original Nickel Directive imposed a limit on the amount of nickel which could be used in post assemblies (mass fraction < 0.05%). This was modified to a migration limit in 2004.

References

  1. Schäfer, T.; Böhler, E.; Ruhdorfer, S.; Weigl, L.; Wessner, D.; Filipiak, B.; Wichmann, H. E.; Ring, J. Epidemiology of contact allergy in adults. Allergy 2001, 56 (12), 1192–96. PMID 11736749.
  2. Krob, H. A.; Fleischer, A. B., Jr.; D'Agostino, R., Jr.; Haverstock, C. L.; Feldman, S. Prevalence and relevance of contact dermatitis allergens: a meta-analysis of 15 years of published T.R.U.E. test data. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 2004, 51 (3), 349–53. PMID 15337975.
  3. Thyssen, J. P.; Linneberg, A.; Menné, T.; Johansen, J. D. The epidemiology of contact allergy in the general population—prevalence and main findings. Contact Dermatitis 2007, 57 (5), 287–99. PMID 17937743. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.2007.01220.x.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Why is Nickel Regulated?; Birmingham Assay Office, <http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/nickel_regulated.html>. (accessed 12 October 2011).
  5. Gollhausen, R.; Ring, J. Allergy to coined money: nickel contact dermatitis in cashiers. J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 1991, 25 (2 Pt 2), 365–69. PMID 1832693. DOI: 10.1016/0190-9622(91)70206-H.
  6. Shum, K. W.; Meyer, J. D.; Chen, Y.; Cherry, N.; Gawkrodger, D. J. Occupational Contact Dermatitis to Nickel: Experience of the British Dermatologists (EPIDERM) and Occupational Physicians (OPRA) Surveillance Schemes. Occup. Environ. Med. 2003, 60 (12), 954–57.
  7. Nestle, O.; Speidel, H.; Speidel, M. O. High nickel release from 1- and 2-euro coins. Nature 2002, 419, 132. DOI: 10.1038/419132a.
  8. Quick Nickel Test; Birmingham Assay Office, <http://www.theassayoffice.co.uk/quick_nickel_test.html>. (accessed 12 October 2011).

External links

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