Skin pathology following epicutaneous exposure to seven organic solvents.

1,1,1,-Trichloroethane, benzene, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, dibromoethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, and 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane were applied to the skin of guinea-pigs for histopathological studies. Biopsies taken at different times of exposure showed the presence of karyopyknosis for all solvents tested; 1,1,1-trichloroethane, benzene, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene showed karyolysis; 1,1,1-trichloroethane, benzene, trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, and dichloroethane induced spongiosis. All solvents, except 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, produced junctional separation. Pseudoeosinophilic infiltration occurred for all solvents, except for 1,2-dichloroethane. The results are discussed in terms of occupational hazards and in relation to parallel studies on blood uptake and systemic toxicity at epicutaneous administration.