The X-Ray and SF-ICP-MS Analysis of Content and Release of Allergenic Metals from Body Piercing

Metallic piercing which have lack of resistance to sweat corrosion might be able to release metallic ions in the local tissue producing adverse effects in the human body, including allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). The aim of this study was double: 1) the metallic characterization of piercings and 2) the release of metals (Al, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ir, Mn, Ni, Pd, Pt, Rh, Ti, V and Zn) in artificial sweat to simulate conditions of use. Stainless steel and titanium piercings were sampled, and both the official and non official markets were checked. The X-ray microanalysis by Energy-Dispersion Spectrometry and the Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry were the techniques of election for metallic characterization and leaching analysis. The piercings analyzed were alloys of Fe/Cr/Ni or Fe/Mn/Cr. The coloured piercings had a layer of Ti varying from 0.3 to 0.5 μm above the steel core and an external C stratum (0.04 μm). The titanium piercing was pure Ti. Piercings sampled from the official market released less than 0.05 μg/cm 2 /week of metal and thus, most likely, they are allergologically safe. Piercing purchased from the non official market were more susceptible to sweat corrosion promoting the release of considerable amounts of Cr (2.78 μg/cm 2 /week), Fe (26.95μg/cm 2 /week), Mn (51.15 μg/cm 2 /week) and Ni (0.157 μg/cm 2 /week). Iridium, Pd, Pt and Rh were not leached by any of the analyzed piercings.