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The role of skin absorption as a route of exposure for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water

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  • Brown, H.S.
  • Bishop, D.R.
  • Rowan, C.A.

Abstract

Assessments of drinking water safety rely on the assumption that ingestion represents the principal route of exposure. A review of the experimental literature revealed that skin penetration rates for solvents are remarkably high, and that the stratum corneum is a less effective barrier to penetration than traditionally assumed. Based on published skin absorption rates, we used Fick's law (J(s)(o) = K(p)(o) Δ C(s)(o)) to determine permeability constants for selected compounds. We then calculated dose per kilogram for nine different exposure situations and compared this to the oral dose per kilogram. We found that skin absorption contributed from 29-91 per cent of the total dose, averaging 64 per cent. Dose per kilogram body weight ranged from .0002 mg/kg-.18 mg/kg, with an average of .03 mg/kg. In weak aqueous solutions, flux of the solute is directly proportional to concentration. Laboratory approaches differ markedly from environmental exposures and can underestimate absorption. We conclude that skin absorption of contaminants in drinking water has been underestimated and that ingestion may not constitute the sole or even primary route of exposure.

Suggested Citation

  • Brown, H.S. & Bishop, D.R. & Rowan, C.A., 1984. "The role of skin absorption as a route of exposure for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in drinking water," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 74(5), pages 479-484.
  • Handle: RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:1984:74:5:479-484_9
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    Cited by:

    1. Kenneth T. Bogen & Thomas E. McKone, 1988. "Linking Indoor Air and Pharmacokinetic Models to Assess Tetrachloroethylene Risk," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(4), pages 509-520, December.
    2. Robert L. Chinery & A. Kevin Gleason, 1993. "A Compartmental Model for the Prediction of Breath Concentration and Absorbed Dose of Chloroform After Exposure While Showering," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 13(1), pages 51-62, February.
    3. Brent Finley & Dennis Paustenbach, 1994. "The Benefits of Probabilistic Exposure Assessment: Three Case Studies Involving Contaminated Air, Water, and Soil," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 14(1), pages 53-73, February.
    4. A. Roy & C. P. Weisel & P. J. Lioy & P. G. Georgopoulos, 1996. "A Distributed Parameter Physiologically‐Based Pharmacokinetic Model for Dermal and Inhalation Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(2), pages 147-160, April.

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