Sarin transport across excised human skin I: Permeability and adsorption characteristics

The transport rates and permeability coefficients for the transport of sarin in solution across both hydrous and anhydrous excised human skin were determined quantitatively. An activation energy was determined from study of the temperature influence on the transport of sarin in solution across anhydrous callus membranes. The transport of pure sarin and of sarin as a water-soluble and water-insoluble gel was studied also. The adsorption characteristics of sarin on powdered keratin were studied to determine their role in permeation. Both equilibrium and nonequilibrium measurements were made, which allowed calculation of the heat of adsorption, the heat of activation for adsorption, and the heat of activation for desorption. The results show that interaction between the membrane and penetrant plays a significant role in sarin transport across human skin.