Dermal absorption

Dermal absorption is one of the main ways chemicals enter our body.  In pharmacology, we use dermal absorption as a pathway to give medications.  Dermal absorption is useful in administering medication because doses can be received gradually.  This method is nothing new, for a very long time we have been using the skin as a portal of entry into the body.  But dermal absorption can also be very detrimental to our health.  In an occupational setting we see this as a hazard.  In any industrial process there is some form of chemicals used.  These chemicals may or may not come in contact with the skin on a regular basis.  Examples of chemicals you put on your skin on a daily basis include things like self care products.  This means things like make-up, shampoos, conditioner, fragrances, and more.  We don’t think about these chemicals moving through our skin when we put these products on, but they do.  In fact, some researchers are now linking a spike in breast cancer to deodorants and other products.  The skin is a much more passive barrier than one may think.  Chemicals like nail polish remover (acetone) can be applied to the skin, enter the blood stream, and are traced on the breath in literally seconds.  This is an especially big concern in industrial settings were a persons may have be using acetone for extended periods of time.  Labor-intensive processes like cleaning parts by hand make it virtually impossible to not come in contact with acetone.  So how do chemicals enter such a solid barrier like the skin?  Well take a closer look and it’s not as solid as you may think.  Chemicals can pass in between cells and enter the blood stream.  Many factors contribute to the wiliness of the skin to let a chemical pass.  This includes temperature, level of moisture, health and thickness of the skin, etc. 

Dermal absorption is very dangerous when talking about toxins because it is not something people tend to think about when they get something on their skin.  Once that chemical seeps through your skin it spreads all over your body via blood stream.  Certain heavy metals in liquid form can cause neurological damage just from being dripped on the skin.  This is why it is always important to consider the type of PPE (personnel protective equipment) when you know you will be working with a hazardous chemical.  Many chemicals require very specific PPE because they can pass through common PPE like nitrite gloves.  This is why we have information available like SDSs.  Overall, in the occupational setting dermal absorption is often over looked.  However it is extremely prevalent in many industries and trades.  The first step to preventing this is to see if it is possible to engineer out the hazard.  But either not be done or it is too costly to do so in many scenarios.  At this point is when you need to consider the proper PPE.  As previously stated, all this preventive measures information should be found on the SDS for that chemical provided by the company that manufactures it.