The chorioallantoic membrane test as a model to predict the potential human eye irritation induced by commonly used laboratory solvents.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential eye irritation of a range of solvents, extensively used in industry and laboratory and the capacity of the chorioallantoic membrane test to predict this eye irritation. The irritation has been evaluated by an in vitro method using the chorioallantoic membrane as an alternative to in vivo Draize rabbit test. All the solvents studied are potentially strongly irritants, even though diluted, except dimethyl sulfoxide which was moderately irritant at a concentration of 10% v/v. In some cases there is a correlation between the concentration of the solvent and the potential eye irritation induced. The method allows prediction of the potential eye irritation of the solvents studied.