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Research Article

In vitro percutaneous absorption of benzene in human skin

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Pages 65-70 | Received 25 Nov 2008, Accepted 16 Feb 2009, Published online: 30 Mar 2009
 

Abstract

The in vitro percutaneous absorption of carbon-14-labeled benzene ([14C]benzene) in dermatomed human skin was determined using 2 cleaning products containing benzene. This study utilized cleaning solutions commonly used in the workplace. As Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines cover dose occlusion for volatile chemicals, the treatments were both nonoccluded and occluded, with low (10 μL/cm2), high (30 μL/cm2), and multiple (10 μL/cm2 × 3 at 0, 30, and 60 min) doses.

In an open-to-air test, the benzene quickly evaporated, and only 0.5%–1.4% of the original dose remained after 30 minutes. In the diffusion studies, human skin absorption of benzene peaked in the first few hours without occlusion, but was sustained for 24 hours with occlusion. The absorption of a high single dose was 1.2 ± 0.16 times (mean ± standard deviation) greater than that of a multiple dose, whereas theory would predict 1.0. The low-dose to high- or multiple-dose ratio was 3.6 ± 2.2, so there was a clear dose response. The effect of occlusion was significant. In this study occlusion increased absorption by 40.1 ± 24.6 times. These data place into partial perspective the role of occlusion in benzene flux, but should not be generalized until other volatile substances are studied in the experimental system and further validated with in vivo systems.

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Corrigendum

Acknowledgments

Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc., provided commercial solutions and partial funding for this research.

This paper is dedicated to the memory of Sherry Barbadillo, friend and colleague.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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