[Dermal risk assessment in occupational medicine]

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health and Safety
• Toxicology
• Environmental Health

Context:

• Dermal exposure to toxicants is increasingly recognized as a significant health risk, particularly with reduced respiratory exposure.
• Chemicals such as pesticides, aromatic amines, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons pose the highest dermal risks.
• Current occupational exposure limit lists often include a 'skin notation' to indicate potential percutaneous absorption, but lack a standardized criterion for assignment.

Purpose:

• To highlight the need for standardized dermal exposure measurements.
• To advocate for the development and implementation of Dermal Occupational Exposure Limits (DOELs).
• To address the limitations in current regulatory approaches for assessing dermal risk.

Summary:

• The importance of dermal exposure has risen due to decreased respiratory exposure risks.
• A lack of standardized criteria for assigning 'skin notation' hinders accurate percutaneous absorption assessment.
• Developing health-based DOELs requires standardized dermal exposure measurements for effective risk management.

Impact:

• Facilitates the development of regulatory approaches for dermal risk assessment.
• Enhances the protection of workers from hazardous chemical exposures through the skin.
• Promotes a more comprehensive understanding and management of occupational toxicant exposure.