2024 journal article

Skin Permeability of Perfluorocarboxylic Acids Using Flow-Through Diffusion on Porcine Skin

TOXICS, 12(10).

By: A. Hall n, R. Baynes n, L. Neumann n, H. Maibach & R. Ormond n

author keywords: dermal absorption; perfluorocarboxylic acids; flow-through diffusion; porcine skin
Source: Web Of Science
Added: November 12, 2024

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are found in a variety of places including cosmetics, rain jackets, dust, and water. PFAS have also been applied to occupational gear to protect against water and oils. However, PFAS have been identified as immunosuppressants and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a specific PFAS, has been identified as carcinogenic. Since there is a risk for dermal exposure to these compounds, there is a need to characterize their dermal absorption. Using in vitro flow-through diffusion, skin permeabilities were determined for 14C-labeled perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA), and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) using porcine skin. Tests were conducted over 8 h with either acetone or artificial perspirant as the vehicle. PFBA was found to have greater permeability than PFHxA, likely due to having a smaller molecular weight. The dosing vehicle did not appear to impact permeability rates but impacted the disposition through the skin model. While these PFAS compounds showed a low permeability rate through the skin membranes, they can stay in the skin, acting as a reservoir.