Trigger for nickel allergy costume jewelery and Co. in the test

Costume jewelry often triggers nickel allergies

Some people are allergic when exposed to nickel-containing objects. Actually, certain limits apply, but these are sometimes exceeded. Among other things at fashion jewelry. The State Office for Agriculture, Food Safety and Fisheries Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has now tested some of these items.

Many people are allergic to nickel

Many people are allergic to nickel. According to experts, on average between 8.6 and 19.2 percent of the population in Europe are nickel allergy sufferers, with women being affected more often than men. Upon contact with the metal they develop a so-called contact eczema, which appears as an itchy rash. Although other substances can trigger such contact allergies, nickel is especially well known. Alloys from the metal are used in numerous everyday objects. Among other things in costume jewelery. The State Office for Agriculture, Food Safety and Fisheries Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (LALLF M-V) has now tested some of these items.

Experts have tested certain nickel-containing items, such as costume jewelery and piercing pieces, and found that the maximum allowable amounts of metal were not always met. (Image: chones / fotolia.com)

Limit values ​​are not always adhered to

Swedish researchers published a study last year that revealed that nickel is contained in significantly more products than previously known.

The metal is used among other things in the production of buttons, which is why it often comes to a contact allergy through jeans buttons.

Doctors from the US even reported that it can also lead to a rash through the iPad due to nickel traces. Actually, manufacturers have certain limits on the use of the metal. But apparently they are not always respected.

This is also shown by studies from the north of Germany.

Fashion jewelery tested

According to a report by the news agency dpa, the State Office for Agriculture, Food Safety and Fisheries Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (LALLF M-V) in Rostock tested fashion jewelery and other nickel-containing objects in 54 cases this year.

"In two samples - almost 4 percent - the nickel levies exceeded the maximum permitted amounts," said department head Cornelia Trapp, according to the agency. "That was a watch strap and a piercing plug."

According to the information, a total of 23 fashion jewelery pieces, 14 watch straps, seven metal jeans buttons and ten piercing parts from the retail trade in Northern Germany were tested.

Comply with legal requirements

The LALLF measures the amount of nickel released from a metallic object on simulated body contact.

By sweating, the allergen, a nickel ion, can be dissolved out of nickel-containing materials and then cause a body reaction.

According to the dpa report, although the examination rates for nickel have fallen nationwide, dermatological publications indicate that the number of patients with nickel allergy increases through piercing jewelry.

As Trapp explained, the controls would require manufacturers to comply with all legal requirements. A total of eleven of the 54 samples had been criticized for missing or ambiguous information on the nickel content. (Ad)