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Related Experiment Videos

Household exposure models.

T E McKone1

  • 1Environmental Sciences Division, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA 94550.

Toxicology Letters
|December 1, 1989
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Inhalation and dermal absorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from tap water are significant exposure routes. These pathways can contribute substantially to overall human exposure, comparable to drinking water ingestion.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Toxicology
  • Exposure Science

Background:

  • Human exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in tap water is typically assumed to be primarily through ingestion.
  • The contribution of inhalation and dermal absorption to overall VOC exposure from tap water requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the relative importance of inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion as exposure routes for VOCs in household tap water.
  • To quantify human exposure to VOCs via different pathways in a typical U.S. dwelling.

Main Methods:

  • A three-compartment model was developed to simulate VOC concentrations in the shower, bathroom, and household air over 24 hours following tap water use.
  • Mass transfer rates for VOCs were estimated using measured data for radon and established principles.

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  • Dermal absorption during bathing and showering was assessed using a dedicated model.

    • Main Results:

    • Inhalation uptake of VOCs was estimated to be 1 to 6 times higher than ingestion uptake in U.S. households.
    • Dermal exposure to VOCs was found to be in the range of 0.6 to 1 times the exposure from ingestion.

    Conclusions:

    • Inhalation and dermal absorption are significant contributors to human exposure to volatile organic compounds from tap water.
    • Exposure assessments for VOCs in household settings should consider both inhalation and dermal routes alongside ingestion.