Percutaneous absorption of aromatic amines in rubber industry workers: impact of impaired skin and skin barrier creams
Background: Several aromatic amines (AA) could cause bladder cancer and are an occupational hygiene problem in the workplace. However, little is known about the percutaneous absorption of chemicals via impaired skin and about the efficacy of skin protection measures to reduce internal exposure. Aims...
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Published in | Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) Vol. 64; no. 6; pp. 366 - 372 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
London
BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
01.06.2007
BMJ Publishing Group BMJ BMJ Publishing Group LTD BMJ Group |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | Background: Several aromatic amines (AA) could cause bladder cancer and are an occupational hygiene problem in the workplace. However, little is known about the percutaneous absorption of chemicals via impaired skin and about the efficacy of skin protection measures to reduce internal exposure. Aims: To determine the impact of skin status and of skin protection measures on the internal exposure to AA in workers manufacturing rubber products. Methods: 51 workers occupationally exposed to aniline and o-toluidine were examined. The workplace conditions, risk factors for skin and the use of personal protective equipment were assessed by means of a self-administered questionnaire. The skin of hands and forearms was clinically examined. Exposure to aniline and o-toluidine was assessed by ambient air and biological monitoring (analyses of urine samples and of haemoglobin adducts). Results: Haemoglobin-AA-adduct levels in workers with erythema (73%) were significantly higher (p<0.04) than in workers with healthy skin (mean values: aniline 1150.4 ng/l vs 951.7 ng/l, o-toluidine 417.9 ng/l vs 118.3 ng/l). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that wearing gloves significantly reduced the internal exposure. A frequent use of skin barrier creams leads to a higher internal exposure of AA (p<0.03). However, the use of skincare creams at the workplace was associated with a reduced internal exposure (p<0.03). From these findings we assume that internal exposure of the workers resulted primarily from the percutaneous uptake. Conclusions: The study demonstrates a significantly higher internal exposure to AA in workers with impaired skin compared with workers with healthy skin. Daily wearing of gloves efficiently reduced internal exposure. However, an increased use of skin barrier creams enhances the percutaneous uptake of AA. Skincare creams seem to support skin regeneration and lead to reduced percutaneous uptake. |
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Bibliography: | istex:59993589B930597BB21441B80E22EB9A05C64772 PMID:17182646 href:oemed-64-366.pdf ark:/67375/NVC-VS1VPFZ8-7 Correspondence to: G Korinth Institute and Outpatient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Schillerstrasse 25/29, Erlangen D-91054, Germany; gintautas.korinth@rzmail.uni-erlangen.de local:0640366 ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 |
ISSN: | 1351-0711 1470-7926 |
DOI: | 10.1136/oem.2006.027755 |