ärritustest

ärritustest, or irritation test, is a procedure used to evaluate whether a chemical, product, or formulation has the potential to cause irritation to the skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. It is commonly applied in industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals to assess safety before consumer or patient use.

Methods used to assess irritation include in vivo tests, in vitro methods, and, less commonly today, human patch testing. Historically, animal-based methods such as the Draize test on rabbits were used to observe skin reactions. However, due to ethical concerns and regulatory changes, many regions now favor non-animal approaches. In vitro methods employ reconstructed human epidermis models and other 3D skin systems, as well as cell-based assays, to predict irritation potential. For eye irritation, tests such as bovine corneal or other organ- and tissue-based assays have been used, with a growing emphasis on alternative methods. Regulatory bodies, including those following OECD guidelines, endorse a range of methods and emphasize non-animal testing where feasible. In silico approaches, such as quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) models, are also increasingly used to predict irritation potential.

Interpretation of results typically classifies substances as non-irritants or irritants with varying degrees of severity. Irritation testing addresses acute irritation but does not inherently assess sensitization or chronic effects. It is important to distinguish irritation from allergenic potential, which requires separate testing. Ongoing scientific and regulatory developments aim to improve predictive accuracy while reducing animal use.