Chloroacetophenone properties

FIGURE 12.3. Chemical structure and physicochemical properties of chloroacetophenone (CN). 

With regard to the biological properties, it has been found that several substances of this group, like a-chloroacetophenone and a-3 4 trichloroacetophenone, cause, besides lachrymation, a painful sensation of itching when they penetrate the pores of the skin in the form of a vapour or a cloud. This action, as previously mentioned, is termed orticant action."... 

Many contact sensitizers also have irritant properties. Patch testing with such sensitizers at high concentrations can cause an irritant reaction or a chemical burn, which seems to facilitate active sensitization. However, only a few sensitizers can cause chemical burns without occlusion, e.g., formaldehyde, chromic acid, amines, chloroacetophenone, some plastic monomers, and methylisothiazolinones. Even one single contact with these chemicals can both cause a chemical burn and induce sensitization, with a subsequent possible development of an allergic contact dermatitis (Bruze et al. 1990 Kanerva 1994). Therefore, when a potential sensitizer has caused a chemical burn, the patient should be patch tested with the sensitizer after healing of the burn, independent of any subsequent development of an eczema. 

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