Excessive nickel release from mobile phones--a persistent cause of nickel allergy and dermatitis.

BACKGROUND

Despite the political intention to limit nickel allergy and dermatitis in Europeans, nickel allergy remains frequent. There are several explanations for the persistence of nickel allergy and dermatitis, including the increasing use of mobile phones. Before regulation of nickel release from mobile phones, we showed that eight (19.5%) of 41 mobile phones marketed in Denmark between 2003 and 2007 released nickel in concentrations that may result in nickel allergy and dermatitis. In 2009, the EU Nickel Directive was revised to include nickel-releasing mobile phones.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the proportion of mobile phones sold in Denmark that release nickel after regulation.

METHODS

Metallic parts from 50 randomly selected mobile phones currently for sale in Denmark were tested for nickel release by use of the dimethylglyoxime (DMG)-nickel spot test.

RESULTS

Nine (18%) phones showed at least one positive DMG test reaction and two phones had more than one DMG test-positive spot.

CONCLUSIONS

Apparently, the proportion of mobile phones with significant nickel release remains unchanged, despite the 2009 revision of the EU Nickel Directive. We encourage manufacturers to measure nickel release from metallic components used in the assembly of mobile phones to ensure safe products.