Photosensitivity Testing of New Products

To the Editor.—  At a time when the number of new chemical formulations for products that have contact with the skin is increasing rapidly, a review for dermatologists of the nature of such chemicals by research staff members of producing companies is indeed pertinent. The article "Fluorescent Whitening Agents" by J. Griffith, PhD,¹ fulfills this need. Certainly, intensive clinical evaluation prior to marketing should be mandatory for chemical agents designed for widespread use. The Food and Drug Administration is doing a sterling job in prophylaxis and consumer protection by regulating the drug and chemical companies, both prior to and after introduction of new chemical agents. For example, the periodic evaluations of various topical germicidal agents made by the Antimicrobial Review Panel are most laudable. Griffith uses accepted predictive maximization procedures in attempts to contact-sensitize humans to a variety of fluorescent whitening agents (optical whiteners). He concludes that the