A Study on Leather in Korea as a Cause of Cobalt Allergic Contact Dermatitis
- Author:
Eun Sun KWON
1
;
Hyun Hee KIM
;
Joon Soo LIM
;
Ki Bum MYUNG
;
Seung Hyun CHEONG
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Konyang University College of Medicine, Konyang University Myunggok Medical Research Institute, Daejeon, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2021;59(7):534-537
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Cobalt is an important contact allergen and is contained mainly in metal products. Recent studies have reported an association between leather exposure and cobalt allergic contact dermatitis. However, there is no study on this subject in Korea.
Objective:The aim of this study is to examine cobalt content and release from leather sofas, shoes, watch straps, and gloves sold in Korea, and to investigate leather exposure in cobalt allergic contact dermatitis.
Methods:We collected 38 leather samples of leather sofa, 15 leather shoes, 8 leather watch straps, and 10 leather gloves sold in Korea. The cobalt spot test and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry were used to confirm cobalt content and release from leather samples.
Results:All 71 leather samples were negative for cobalt in the spot test. No cobalt was found in the 35 leathers tested by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.
Conclusion:Unlike previous studies, cobalt was not identified in leather in this study. Therefore, the possibility of cobalt allergic contact dermatitis caused by leather is relatively low in Korea. However, further studies with larger numbers of leather samples are needed to obtain more accurate results.
