J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem. 29, 411-420 (1971) ¸ 1971 Society ooe Cosmetic Chemists ooe Great Britain A comparison of predictive irritation tests with suroeactants on human and animal skin V. K. H. BROWN* Based on lecture delivered in September 1970, at the 6th IFSCC Congress in Barcelona, Spain. SynopsisNine DETERGENT base materials have been examined in a series of in vivo and in vitro TESTS involving the use of HUMAN SKIN and various ANIMAL SKINS. Lack of agreement between the results from different tests was apparent and a cautious approach to predictive SKIN-IRRITANCY testing with detergents is advocated. INTRODUCTION As part of an investigation into the toxicology of sur[actants used in the manufacture of detergents for domestic and other purposes, it was decided to compare the results of some predictive skin irritancy tests using animal and human skin. For the purposes of these investigations neither skin sensitization reactions nor irritation of the eyes were included. The human skin studies were carried out by Smeenk (1, 2)and the animal studies by the author. EXPERIMENTAL Materials A list of the materials used is shown in Table I together with the pH *Tunstall Laboratory, Shell Research Ltd., Sittingbourne, Kent. 411

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