Makes me smile considering the flack our local authority received when these devices were issued to the refuse collectors. Lets see if this distracts them enough to bring back weekly collections to eliminate domestic waste as a source of contact dermatitis cases. http://www.techspot.com/...d-allergic-reaction.html Interesting that the nickel content has not found its way to the European Consumer Safety alerts system RAPEX. Android & proud - I only have the various phthalates to worry about from the plastic case of my tablet.

Not just tablets. Mobile phones have also been found to release nickel ions. It is the release that is the key. Most nickel sensitised persons can handle most forms of stainless steel (or technically chrome-nickel-steel), simply because the nickel is so tightly bound into the alloy that no nickel is being released and thus there is insufficient exposure. There is a simple test that can be done to identify free nickel ions, the dimethylglyoxime test. A small amount of the solution is placed on a cotton wool bud and rubbed on the metal. If there is free nickel then there will be a colour change. Try this on a one Pound coin and you will see a significant release of nickel. (One of my daughters is allergic to nickel and when she was young I used to take the kit with me when she went shopping for jewellery. Cause some consternation in the shop of course!) There is an EU limit to the amount of free nickel allowed in jewellery, ear rings, etc. But coins and other sources are still exempt. Oh, and don't try this test on a Euro. The colour change is massive. Euros can damage your health!!!! (if you are sensitised to nickel, that is) If anyone is interested in sourcing the test drop me a PM with your e-mail address and I will let you have the name and address of the supplier in the UK. Chris