The Cutaneous Irritant Reaction to Agent o-Chlorobenzylidene Malononitrile (CS). I. Quantitation and Racial Influence in Human Subjects.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a significant difference exists between Negroes and Caucasians in cutaneous irritant reaction to CS, and to try to localize to a specific layer of skin any relative protective principle which Negro skin might have. A determination as to whether racial difference exists in the symptomatic response of the skin was also sought. Standardized exposures were given on the volar surface of the forearm and the back by an occlusive patch-test technique, utilizing duration of exposure as the variable. A range of exposures, low to high, was given each subject, and the minimal perceptible erythema (MPE) was read. The impression that Negroes are less susceptible to irritant determatitis from CS2 was confirmed. On both forearm and back, the production of MPE required approximately twice the exposure time on Negroes as on Caucasians. The racial difference in reactivity is lost if stratum corneum (the barrier layer) is removed. Neither is there a racial difference in the stinging sensation, which is caused by CS that penetrates by the transappendageal route. It is proposed that the difference in the melanin content of the stratum corneum between the two races may account for the difference in reactivity; i.e., that melanin exerts a protective influence, possibly by reacting with CS. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0865136
Entities
People
- Dennis A. Weigand
- Millard M. Mershon