The Penetration of Chromium: An Up-To-Date 0.5% Potassium Dichromate Vehicle Comparison

Chromium (Cr) contact allergy is frequent in many industrialized countries. The knowledge of the factors that can influence percutaneous penetration is very important assessing the risk of human exposure.

The aim of the study was to compare the concentration of Cr in various skin layers using 2 different vehicles.

Full-thickness (approximately 1 mm) porcine ear skin was mounted in Franz-type diffusion cells. Duplicate potassium dichromate preparations in 0.5% petrolatum (pet) and 0.5% in aqua (aq) were applied to the donor compartment facing the epidermis for 24 hours. After the experiment, the porcine skin samples were cut with a microtome. All samples were analyzed for total Cr concentration by inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry. The limit of detection was 0.001 μg/cm3.

Chromium was detected in both recipient phases. The distribution of Cr in the skin is similar for pet and aq preparations, but the concentration of Cr detected in the skin was almost 2 times lower for pet comparing aq preparations.

Both vehicles were suitable for penetrating the skin. Less Cr is found in the skin when pet is used as a vehicle. Acid wipe sampling and finger immersion test results might be false-negative for Cr in occupations involving contact with Cr salts in aq solutions.