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The nickel skin allergy
problem
Unfortunately, many people
(around 12-15%), the female population especially,
are allergic to nickel in contact with the skin
and this gives rise to a red skin rash or irritation.
This problem applies to costume/fashion jewellery,
white gold and steel jewellery, zippers and fasteners
and other body piercings.
The European Union countries
have enacted legislation (under the EU Nickel
Directive) valid from the 20th January 2000 that
limits nickel release from jewellery and other
items in close and constant contact with the skin.
Thus, in Europe, nickel white golds are being
phased out and being replaced by palladium white
golds, although low nickel alloys that meet the
nickel release requirements of the Directive are
still in service. This does not guarantee that
a nickel-sensitised person will not suffer an
allergic skin reaction if wearing jewellery made
from such conforming, nickel-containing alloys!
Japan and China have taken
a similar position on nickel. The USA is taking
a more relaxed approach, requiring jewellery to
be labelled as nickel-containing. Many other countries
have not taken a stance on nickel in jewellery
and nickel white golds are still widely sold.
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