Executive Summary: ICCVAM Review of In Vitro Dermal Corrosivity Methods

Corrosive substances are defined as chemicals causing visible destruction or irreversible alterations in living tissue by chemical action at the site of contact (29 CFR 1917.28). Dermal corrosivity testing is conducted to identify chemicals that potentially pose this hazard to humans. U.S. Federal regulations and guidelines include test methods for assessing dermal corrosivity. Testing data is used to determine appropriate hazard classification and labeling, appropriate transport and/or storage methods, and appropriate precautions for workers in industrial settings. For regulatory purposes, corrosive chemicals and chemical mixtures have typically been identified using an in vivo test method involving the application of chemicals or chemical mixtures to the intact skin of a rabbit. The skin is visually evaluated for corrosion after exposures of three minutes, one hour, and four hours. Animal welfare considerations have led to efforts to develop in vitro alternative test methods. One such method, Corrositex, (In Vitro International, Inc., Irvine, CA) was submitted to ICCVAM for consideration. Following independent scientific peer review (ICCVAM, 1999), ICCVAM recommended that Corrositex could be used to assess the dermal corrosion potential of chemicals as part of a tiered testing strategy.