Numerous studies focused on the human
exposure to plasticizers
via dermal contact; however, the percutaneous penetration of plasticizers
was seldom considered in exposure assessment. In the present study,
skin wipes of palms, back-of-hands, and forehead were collected from
114 participants (ages: 18–27). There was no significant difference
between the levels of phthalates from palms and back-of-hand, while
all phthalates collected from the forehead were significantly higher
than those from palms and back-of-hand (p < 0.001);
di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate levels were substantially higher than other
detected phthalates followed by di(n-butyl)phthalate
and di(isobutyl)phthalate (DiBP), and for alternative plasticizers,
bis-2-ethylhexyl terephthalate levels were substantially higher than
acetyltributyl citrate and bis-2-ethylhexyladipate. Skin permeation
and metabolism of phthalates was assessed using human skin equivalent
models. The permeability coefficient (k
p) values of phthalates were significantly negatively correlated with
their log octanol–water partition coefficient (log K
ow), while a significantly positive correlation
was found between the log K
ow and the
cumulative amounts of phthalates in the cells. The proportion of phthalate
intake via dermal exposure to skin wipes ranges from 1.3% (for dimethyl
phthalate) to 8.6% (for DiBP) and suggests that dermal absorption
is a significant route for adult phthalate exposure.
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