Measurement of Phthalates in Skin Wipes: Estimating Exposure from Dermal Absorption

• Published in: Environmental science & technology Vol. 48; no. 13; pp. 7428 - 7435
• Main Authors: Gong, Mengyan, Zhang, Yinping, Weschler, Charles J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Chemical Society 01.07.2014
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adsorption; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; Chemicals; Dermis - metabolism; Diet; Dust; Environmental Exposure - analysis; Environmental Pollutants - metabolism; Environmental science; Feeding Behavior; Female; Hand Disinfection; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Permeability; Phthalic Acids - analysis; Skin; Skin Absorption; Time Factors; Toiletry products; Toxicology; Various organic compounds; Young Adult; Human; Concentration measurement; Plasticizer; Exposure; Skin; Endocrine disruptor; Low volatile compound; Phthalates; Topical administration; Organic compounds; Percutaneous route
• ISSN: 0013-936X; 1520-5851
• DOI: 10.1021/es501700u

This study has determined the levels of six phthalates (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di(isobutyl) phthalate (DiBP), di(n-butyl) phthalate (DnBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) in skin wipes; examined factors that might influence the levels, including body location, time of sampling, and hand-washing; and estimated dermal absorption based on the measured levels. Skin wipes were collected from the forehead, forearm, back-of-hand, and palm of 20 participants using gauze pads moistened with isopropanol. DiBP, DnBP, and DEHP were most frequently detected; DEHP levels were substantially higher than DnBP and DiBP levels, and DnBP levels were somewhat lower than DiBP levels. The levels differed at different body locations, with palm > back-of-hand > forearm ≥ forehead. Repeated wipe sampling from six participants over a 1 month period indicated that levels at the same body location did not vary significantly. The estimated median total dermal absorption from skin surface lipids on the palm, back-of-hand, arm, and head are 0.48, 0.68, and 0.66 (μg/kg)/day for DiBP, DnBP, and DEHP, respectively. These estimates are roughly 10–20% of the total uptake reported for Chinese adults and suggest that dermal absorption contributes significantly to the uptake of these phthalates. Washing with soap and water removed more than 50% of the phthalates on the hands and may be a useful tool in decreasing aggregate phthalate exposure.