Efficacy of skin wash on dermal absorption: an in vitro study on four model compounds of varying solubility.

PURPOSE: Following dermal exposure to chemicals causing systemic toxicity, the general advice to avoid further systemic exposure is to wash the skin. The present study uses four model compounds (benzoic acid, glyphosat, caffeine, malathion) with varying size and solubility to substantiate this advice and quantify the effect of skin wash following 6 h dermal exposure on subsequent extent of skin penetration and deposition within the skin compartment.

METHOD: Percutaneous penetration through human skin is studied in an in vitro model with static diffusion cells.

RESULTS

The study demonstrates that percutaneous penetration continues after end of exposure due to the reservoir present in the skin. However, penetration rate will decrease significantly, and it is evident that simple hand-wash after end of exposure not only reduces the amount of residue present in the upper skin compartment but also significantly reduces the total absorption of test substance, most so for the hydrophilic compounds.

CONCLUSION

Our observations support the continuing initiatives from occupational hygienists to urge people with dermal exposure hazards to wash potentially exposed skin areas.