Abstract
In Japan, metal-framed occupational safety glasses are as common as those with plastic frames. However, metal frames can sometimes release nickel, which can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some wearers. In this study, 39 pairs of metal-framed occupational safety glasses, selected from 29 models commonly used in Japan, were tested and evaluated for nickel release using the same basic ISO-provided method established for normal prescription eyeglasses. The rims of 20 samples (51%), and the temples of 11 samples (28%), were found to release amounts of nickel that exceed established ISO limit. Combining both results, 23 samples (59%) were found to release nickel amounts exceeding set limit from either the rims or the temples, and were therefore determined to be unacceptable. This indicates that a significant percentage of the metal-framed occupational safety glasses used in Japanese workplaces could release sufficient amounts of nickel to cause contact dermatitis in some workers. It is thus considered necessary to determine the prevalence of contact dermatitis caused by such metal-framed occupational safety glasses.
