How sensitive are Ivy Alert products?
Ivy Alert Sensing Swabs and Patches can detect physical contact with as little as 0.001mG/mL of urushiol. This is a very low concentration of irritant; however certain individuals may react to this amount or less. For this reason it is possible for users to contract Poison Ivy rash even with product use. Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac plants produce skin irritating oils and sap (urushiol) that are normally totally contained within the plant. When leaves, stems and stalks break (particularly in the spring when the plant leaves and stems are fragile), urushiol is released. Urushiol is persistent and may remain active on surfaces (plants, tools, clothes, etc) for many months. Also, it is possible to come in contact with Poison Ivy, Oak and Sumac plants that are intact (without urushiol on the surface) that will not cause Ivy Alert products to respond as there is no urushiol available for reaction.
