Applicability of the in vitro skin irritation methods (EpiSkin™, EpiDerm™ SIT) to organosilicon-based substances

Silicones Europe has conducted a comprehensive study to evaluate the suitability of EpiSkin™ and EpiDerm™ SIT in vitro methods for testing skin irritation potential of organosilicon-based substances. While regulatory frameworks increasingly mandate in vitro methods as alternatives to animal testing, their reliability for organosilicons remained unverified. This study found that both methods fell short in accurately predicting skin irritation when compared to traditional in vivo tests.  The findings highlight a critical need for further research to refine in vitro methods, ensuring their applicability across diverse chemical families, including organosilicons.