Potential eye irritation of some “biodegradable” liquid scintillation cocktails determined in vitro

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology Vol. 42; no. 8; pp. 1287 - 1290
• Main Authors: Vinardell, M.P, Rimbau, V, Mitjans, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2004; New York, NY Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Animal Testing Alternatives; Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Chick Embryo; Chorioallantoic membrane; Chorionic Villi - drug effects; Drug Combinations; Eye Diseases - chemically induced; Eye irritation; Irritants; Liquid scintillation cocktails; Medical sciences; Membranes - drug effects; Radiopharmaceuticals - toxicity; Solvents - toxicity; Toxicology; Various organic compounds; HET-CAM, Hen's egg test-chorioallantoic membrane; Chorioallantoic membrane; Liquid scintillation cocktails; LS, liquid scintillation; SDS, sodium dodecyl sulphate; Eye irritation; CAM, chorioallantoic membrane; Eye; Toxicity; Scientific research; In vitro; Mixture; Liquid scintillation; Irritation; Laboratory staff
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2004.03.005

The potential eye irritation of a range of liquid scintillation cocktails has been evaluated by an in vitro method using the chorioallantoic membrane as an alternative to the Draize rabbit test. All the cocktails studied are potentially moderately to strongly irritant. The only slightly irritant product was Solventgreen, which is a solvent used in some of the cocktails. There is a correlation between the concentration of the cocktail and the potential eye irritation induced. Manufacturers of chemicals including liquid scintillation cocktails should accept responsibility for disclosing data about the composition and toxicity of their products with regard to waste disposal and safety of laboratory staff.