Allergic reactions from nickel has raised serious concerns in the European Community, which is why it started drafting a legislation that the goal of which was to control materials such as nickel.
Thus a certain number of countries have started taking measures regarding different objects made of metals that might include nickel. Denmark was the first to sign a legislation in June 27, 1989, which prohibits both import and production of a wide list of products that liberate quantities of nickel higher than 0.5 microgram/cm2 over one week.
The lists of items includes: metal buttons, watches, as well as earrings necklaces, bracelets and some other products that can come in contact with the skin. The directive that the European Community provides is quite similar to the one Denmark signed.
The problems linked with applying new standards are not insurmountable, due to the fact that some suitable materials are already in use today. However, the watchmaking industry needs to invest huge sums to use sustainable materials in watches. Despite the difficulties in that watch companies must face they should be aware of newly proposed regulations and get ready for their implementation.
Taking Care
Since the directives have not come in force yet, watch lovers should take into consideration several precautions in order to lower the risk of nickel allergies from their favorite watches. The first thing to remember is that is it necessary to remove the watch while preparing for sleep so to lower the time of contact between the watch and the skin.
Then it is important to regularly wipe the case suing a clean, dry cloth. One can use a cloth that is slightly damp in case the watch is water-resistant. In order to prevent the accumulation of irritating nickel ions, cleaning a watch with a damp cloth represents a basic measure of good hygiene.
Most watchmakers are often surprised to find out that a lot of watch owners are do not take the necessary measures when it comes to cleaning a watch that often comes in direct contact with their skin.
The last but not the least it is important to know that after perspiring heavily, any watch model should be removed from the wrist and then carefully washed. Thus the risk of allergies from contact with metals containing nickel will be considerably reduced.