Journal of toxicology and environmental health
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J Toxicol Environ Health · May 1996
Comparative StudyEffect of soil loading on dermal absorption efficiency from contaminated soils.
The effect of soil loading on the dermal uptake of soil-borne contaminants was examined using an in vitro evaporation/penetration apparatus and abdominal skin from human cadavers. Dermal uptake of two 14C-labeled pesticides, lindane and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), was assessed at nominal soil loadings of 1, 5, and 10 mg/cm2. Sub-150-microns fractions of two soils with differing organic carbon contents were employed. ⋯ This effect was inversely proportional to loading reduction in the former case, but was less than proportional due to the impact of contact area reduction (and, in the case of lindane, volatilization losses) in the latter. Percent dermal absorption data obtained in the laboratory require adjustment for differences in loading and coverage before application to assessment of exposure to contaminants in soils. Description of dermal absorption from soil in a manner comparable to that used to describe absorption from a liquid or vapor (i.e., using a driving force and a mass transfer coefficient) would reduce confusion on this point and is recommended.