Measurement of Toluene Emanating from the Surface of Human Skin in Relation to Toluene Inhalation

Abstract

Background: Human skin gas is known as traces of gas emanating from the human skin. Exogenous chemicals such as toluene may be released from the skin surface when absorbed into the body. However, dermal emission of toluene has not been fully determined in relation to inhalation exposure. Objectives: This study aimed to characterise the mechanism of toluene emanating from the skin surface of healthy volunteers in relation to inhalation exposure. Methods: Dermal emission flux of toluene was determined in healthy volunteers employing a passive flux sampler and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The dermal emission of toluene occurs when toluene is absorbed by inhalation. The half-life obtained from the decrease in the dermal emission flux suggested the time-course of the dermal emission corresponds to that of the blood concentration. The whole-body emission rate of toluene was estimated to be 9.9% of the uptake rate by inhalation exposure. This suggests the toluene is excreted approximately 80% through urine, 7%-14% by exhaled air, and 10% from the skin surface. Conclusions: This demonstrates that dermal emission is a newly discovered route of excretion of toluene from the human body and that dermal toluene might indicate the individual biological susceptibility to inhalation exposure to toluene.

Human skin gas profile of individuals with the people allergic to me phenomenon

“…To the best of our knowledge, there are no reports on toluene synthesis in humans in vivo. Therefore, skin toluene is most inhaled and is released via the blood route, as previously reported 20 . Usually, a greater portion of inhaled toluene is metabolised to hippuric acid in a cascading manner and then excreted in the urine 36 .…”

“…Second-hand smoke also causes dermal toluene emissions. Skin toluene is also emitted from non-smokers when exposed to toluene vapour in a chemical laboratory, where toluene is routinely used as a solvent 19 , 20 . Therefore, cutaneous emissions of these chemicals can be observed even in healthy subjects when they are exposed to them in their daily lives.…”

“…Among the aldehydes with lower dermal emissions in PATM group, we focused on benzaldehyde as a possible metabolite of toluene 20 . Figure 1 shows a comparison of the dermal emission fluxes of toluene and benzaldehyde and the ratio of toluene to benzaldehyde between non-PATM and PATM subjects.…”

Dynamic Modeling of Carbon Dioxide Transport through the Skin Using a Capnometry Wristband

“…Other studies have been conducted, by Arakawa, to measure ethanol [88] or, by Ohkuwa, to establish a link between hypoxia and NO concentration [89]. In studying exposure to pollutants, Sekine et al [90] established a relation between toluene emanating from the skin and inhalation exposure.…”