What is Corrositex

What is Corrositex?

Corrositex is an in vitro method used to determine the dermal corrosive potential of chemicals and chemical mixtures.

Corrositex has been designed as a replacement for the dermal corrosivity rabbit test based upon proprietary biomembrane and chemical detection technology developed by
In Vitro International.

Why Use Corrositex?

	Time Savings: Corrositex testing can provide a Packing Group determination in a matter of minutes and no more than 4 hours, unlike animal testing which can take 2 - 4 weeks.
	Accuracy: More accurate than pH testing and is packing group specific.
	Cost Savings: Reduced shipping charges, additional cost savings workplace safety and MSDS development.

How the Test Works

Corrositex is a non-animal alternative toxicology test. Although not a classical "in vitro" test, Corrositex uses a synthetic membrane-based detection system to determine the UN packing group classification of chemicals, consumer products or other hazardous materials. The results, expressed as a break-through time, correlate well with rabbit dermal corrosivity tests.

In the Corrositex testing system, a glass vial filled with a chemical detection fluid is capped by a proprietary bio-barrier membrane, which is designed to mimic the effect of corrosives on living skin.

Corrositex measures the time required for a test article to pass through a hydrated collagen matrix and supporting filter membrane. As the corrosive sample passes through or destroys this bio-barrier, the underlying liquid Chemical Detection System changes color or texture. The time it takes for the sample to break through the membrane is recorded and compared to a classification chart to determine corrosivity/noncorrosivity for assignment of the proper U.N. Packing Group classification for U.S. DOT or EPA compliance.

Biobarrier Disc Proprietary Bio-membrane
Chemical Detection Fluid

Regulatory Acceptance

The following regulatory agencies accept Corrositex.

Department of Transportation - DOT-E 10904
Original exemption granted April 28, 1993
Renewals granted:
March 22, 1995
November 30, 1997
January 12, 1999
December 12, 2000
September 20, 2002
July 19, 2004
May 30, 2006 (Expiring 4/30/2010)

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
Formal Acceptance, NIEHS press release dated 3/21/00

European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM)
12/2002

EU/OECD
Approval July 19, 2006

EPA Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 142 Dermal Corrosion
Method 1120 June 13, 1997
Formal Acceptance, NIEHS press release dated 3/21/00

Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
Formal Acceptance, NIEHS press release dated 3/21/00

International Air Transportation Association (IATA)
Letter of acceptance dated December 17, 1993

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Endorsement dated 6/22/99

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Letter of Interpretation dated March 3, 1994
Formal Acceptance, NIEHS press release dated 3/21/00

Transport Canada - Permit For Equivalent Level of Safety SU 4483
Original approval 8/14/96
Additional renewal 9/18/98
Additional renewal 1/15/01
Full Draize Replacement Acceptance 3/5/02

MB Research is an authorized Corrositex testing laboratory.

For more information you may want to check out this link: Corrositex info

For Searching Corrositex Assay Test Results, you may purchase results from the Corrositex Database provided by Invitro International.

More information about Corrositex can be found at the following websites:

The Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of
Alternative Methods (ICCVAM)

Dermal Corrosivity and Irritation Working Group (DCIWG)

ICCVAM Sample Protocol