The use of pH measurements to predict the potential of chemicals to cause acute dermal and ocular toxicity

Regulatory guidelines for the assessment of acute dermal and ocular toxicity refer to the need to take the pH values of chemicals into consideration, since the acidic and basic properties of chemicals are known to play a role in the generation of acute dermal and ocular lesions. However, not all test guidelines provide an objective interpreting pH measurements in terms of acute skin or eye toxicity. The aim of this study was to develop classification models based on pH data for predicting the potential of chemicals to cause skin corrosion, skin irritation and eye irritation. The possible application of these models in the context of tiered testing strategies is discussed.