Scala, R., W. Stokes, R. Hill, T. Goldsworthy, R. Tice and K. Haneke. The Results of an Independent Peer Review Panel Evaluation of the Validation Status of Corrositex. ATLA 27: 334. 1999.

Corrositexâ, an in vitro dermal corrosivity testing method, was evaluated by an independent peer review panel (PRP) convened by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (ICCVAM). The PRP evaluated the testing results for 163 test materials. In a public meeting on 21 January 1999, the PRP concluded that, for certain applications such as hazard classification for transportation purposes, Corrositex is useful as a stand-alone assay for evaluating the corrosivity or non-corrosivity of acids, bases, and acid derivatives. In other testing circumstances and for other chemical and product classes, Corrositex may be used as part of a tiered testing strategy, where positive responses require no further testing and negative responses must be followed by dermal irritation testing. In either testing strategy, an investigator may conclude that confirmation testing is necessary based on consideration of supplementary information (for example, pH , structure-activity relationships, and other chemical and/or testing information). The use of Corrositex as part of a tiered testing approach reduces and refines animal use by providing a basis for decisions on further testing. Follow-up testing, when deemed necessary, could employ fewer animals and test agent dilution schemes that minimize potential pain in any individual animal. When used as a stand-alone assay for transportation purposes, Corrositex replace animal use for corrositivity testing of certain chemical classes. The PRP concluded that Corrositex offers animal welfare advantages compared to currently accepted dermal corrositivity testing methods. Additional PRP deliberations and conclusions are summarized in National Institutes of Health (NIH) Publication 99-4495.