Corrositex: The fast, safe, humane, and affordable alternative to animal skin corrosion testing.
What is Corrositex Skin Corrosion Analysis?
Corrositex testing is a rapid test to help determine if liquids or solids are dangerous to human skin. Small simulated skin membranes are placed on top of a color-changing liquids that shows when the skin breaks. Then a measured sample of the subject material is placed on top of the membrane, and the time to break-through is tracked. If the break-through exceeds the maximum necessary, then the test material is considered non-corrosive; otherwise, the material is ranked based on how long it took for break-through to occur.
How does Corrositex work?
Corrositex testing involves placing a small amount of a test substance onto a synthetic membrane that mimics the structure of human skin. The membrane is then covered with an indicator solution that changes color in response to the corrosive potential of the test substance. The time it takes for the color change to occur is used to classify the substance as a corrosive or non-corrosive agent. With advance notice, the test can be run in as quickly as 1 to 4 hours from receipt of your samples at our corrosion lab in Houston.
The Corrositex test is based on the principle that corrosive substances cause irreversible damage to the skin by disrupting the cell membranes and other structures. The synthetic membrane used in the Corrositex assay has properties similar to human skin, such as permeability, thickness, and chemical composition. Therefore, the test can accurately predict the corrosive potential of a substance on human skin.
Why Use Corrositex for Skin Testing?
There are several good reasons to use Corrositex simulated skin testing for Packing Group determination:
- The test is humane, using a simulated skin instead of live animals.
- Corrositex is highly reproducible. Thousands of tests have been performed to validate the Corrositex process.
- Speed: Corrositex can be run in one day, compared to live animal tests that can take weeks.
- Cost: Corrositex is a more economical alternative to animal testing.
Even for samples with dyes or heavy coloring, Corrositex can be accurately performed. It’s a key part of the Packing Group determination process, which helps legally determine how materials need to be packaged for shipping.
How Long Does Corrositex Testing Take?
The test itself is completed in one day. Test sample preparation can take more time, along with preparation of the report, so our normal turnaround is 3-6 business days. Rush service is available in 1-2 days in most cases. Our Houston Corrositex testing lab can help test one or dozens of samples in your required time frame.
What Are the Advantages of Corrositex Skin Corrosion Testing?
Corrositex is a reliable and accurate method for assessing the corrosive potential of chemicals and products. The method has several advantages over animal testing and other in vitro tests, including:
- Faster results: Corrositex provides results within a few hours, compared to animal testing, which may take several weeks or months.
- Cost-effective: Corrositex is a cost-effective method of testing, as it does not require expensive equipment or animal maintenance.
- Ethical: Corrositex does not involve animal testing, which is a significant ethical concern for many people and organizations.
- Regulatory acceptance: Corrositex has been validated by several regulatory agencies, such as the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and is widely accepted as a reliable method of testing.
Applications of Corrositex skin corrosion testing
Corrositex skin corrosion testing is widely used in various industries to assess the safety and corrosive potential of chemicals and products. Some of the applications of Corrositex include:
- Chemical industry: Corrositex is used to evaluate the corrosive potential of industrial chemicals, such as acids, bases, and solvents.
- Cosmetics industry: Corrositex is used to assess the skin corrosivity of cosmetic products, such as creams, lotions, and hair dyes.
- Pharmaceuticals industry: Corrositex is used to evaluate the corrosive potential of pharmaceutical products, such as topical medications.
- Consumer product industry: Corrositex is used to assess the corrosive potential of consumer products, such as cleaning agents and detergents.
Additional related tests for skin and eye irritation are also available.
Should I Do Corrositex Testing Myself or Use a Qualified Lab?
It really depends! If you plan to test many materials and want to reduce costs, you can do it yourself. However, if you need results from an experienced lab whom you can count on without the learning curve and effort of running the tests, we would love to help.
We follow the OECD guidelines, part of the globally harmonized system. These methods are validated and accepted across the world. Our experts have performed hundreds of these tests and we are ready to help you.
Is Metals Testing Required for Packing Group Determination?
If your sample is non-corrosive to skin, then metals testing is required. We have run hundreds of these tests, following the UN Section 37 practice and ASTM G31 guidelines. The test has a 7-day duration, so total time is usually 8-10 days for this. We have the required steel and aluminum samples ready to go at a moment’s notice. We also offer metals testing, even if you run Corrositex yourself.
How to Test for Eye and Skin Irritation:
For products that may be handled or which may cause eye irritation, we can also provide a rapid test to determine if skin or eye irritation will occur.
Where Can I Find Experts in Corrositex and Metals Testing?
You’ve come to the right place! Our experts even provide legal support for litigation regarding corrositex, metals testing, and packing group determination.
What are the Limitations of Corrositex skin corrosion testing?
While Corrositex is an effective method of testing skin corrosivity, there are some limitations to its use. These include:
- Lack of specificity: Corrositex is not specific to skin corrosion and may not provide information on other toxicological endpoints, such as irritation or sensitization.
- Inability to predict systemic toxicity: Corrositex only predicts local effects on the skin and does not provide information on systemic toxicity or other effects that may occur after exposure.
- Limited applicability: Corrositex may not be applicable to all types of substances, such as metals or gases, which may require other testing methods.