Cited by 116Water Treatment and DisinfectionContact Dermatitis and AllergiesWater Quality and Resources Studies

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

Brown, H S, Bishop, D R, Rowan, C A·1984·American Journal of Public Health

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 (Jos = Kop delta Cos) 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.

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Crossref · 10.2105/ajph.74.5.479

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Authors
Brown, H. S., Bishop, D. R., & Rowan, C. A.
Venue
American Journal of Public Health
Published
1984-05
Volume
74
Issue
5
Pages
479-484
ISSN
  • 0090-0036 (ISSN-L)
  • 1541-0048
OpenAlex
W2001635259
Cited by
116
References
48
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 1 · 2014: 4 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 5
FWCI
4.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Journal of Public Health (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Clark Digital Commons (Clark University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Water Treatment and Disinfection
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Contact Dermatitis and Allergies
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Water Science and Technology › Water Quality and Resources Studies
Keywords
percutaneous absorption, volatile organic compounds, drinking water, exposure pathways, stratum corneum permeability, skin permeability, Fick's law, oral exposure, dermal exposure, water contaminants
MeSH terms
Administration, Oral, Humans, Permeability, Skin Absorption, Solvents, Structure-Activity Relationship, Water Pollutants, Chemical, Water Supply

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