Percutaneous absorption of organic solvents during intermittent exposure in guinea pigs

Skin absorption under intermittent exposure of guinea pigs to n-butanol, toluene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane was studied. Groups of guinea pigs were exposed to test organic solvents for 1 min at 30-min intervals during 4 h, in all 8 exposures. Skin absorption of solvent was assessed by following the concentration of solvent in the blood. This intermittent exposure was compared to continuous exposure over 4 h. Absorption of toluene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane was low, but a considerable amount of butanol was absorbed through the skin on intermittent exposure. A typical serrated absorption profile was seen for butanol that was less pronounced for toluene and 1,1,1-trichloroethane. The absorption of butanol was highest at the end of the exposure period. The differences in absorption profiles may be due to the differences in vapour pressure in the solvents in association with the animal method used. The amount absorbed varied inversely with vapour pressure. Hair stubble may act as a trap for solvents with low vapour pressure. Adequate ventilation reduces unoccluded skin absorption of volatile organic solvents.