Dermal exposure to kerosene

Young healthy albino male mice were subjected to repeated exposure to kerosene by wrapping each of their hind feet with a muslin cloth (1 x 10 cm) wetted with kerosene (0.1 ml). Exposure varied from 15 to 60 min/day for 7 consecutive days. Repeated exposure to kerosene produced histologic changes in the foot pad skin and popliteal lymph nodes of mice and systemic toxic manifestations such as variation in hematologic profile, significant decreases in relative weight of thymus, spleen and abdominal lymph nodes and altered histology. Three weeks of non-exposure rest indicated the reversible nature of kerosene-induced toxicity. Furthermore, observations made in 24 human subjects chronically exposed to kerosene in an automobile workshop revealed high incidence of oil acne and dermatitis of varying degrees. The study demonstrates a need for caution where ever prolonged dermal exposure to kerosene in occupational situations obtains.