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Accession_Number:
10000659
Title:
In Vitro Test of Nicotine's Permeability through Human Skin. Risk Evaluation and Safety Aspects
Author(s):
Zorin, S. ; Kuylenstierna, F. ; Thulin, H.
Reference:
Annals of Occupational Hygiene, Vol. 43, No. 6, pages 405-413, 16 references
Pubdate:
August 1999
Subdate:
0000/00/00
Keywords:
Skin-adsorption / In-vitro-studies / Gloves / Humans / Personal-protective-equipment / Alkaloids
Abstract:
The importance of dermal absorption of nicotine as a pathway for intoxication was evaluated by permeability tests with Franz' diffusion cells and an in vitro test model. Studies were done to ensure that safety procedures are sufficient to prevent poisoning when spilling nicotine on skin. Pure nicotine and nicotine in various concentrations in water or ethanol were applied on human skin or gloves in Franz' cells. Human skin was obtained from plastic-surgical operations and originated from the mammae or abdomen of female donors. Washing was simulated by removing nicotine from skin after 3 or 5 minutes (min). Permeation rate (flux) and lag time were calculated and estimated for the skin. Different glove materials were tested for their nicotine breakthrough time. Parts of the gloves from Touch N Tuff, Ansell Edmont Company and N-DEX, Best Company were cut out and mounted in the Franz' cell for study. When nicotine-water solutions were tested, flux depended on concentration in a nonlinear way. Highest flux was found in 50% w/w nicotine dissolved in water. Solutions with low concentration of nicotine (1% w/w) dissolved in water had a similar permeation rate to 100% nicotine. Flux was found to be low when using ethanol as a vehicle and was pH-dependent. The nicotine-water solution containing acetic acid had the lowest flux. The tests where nicotine was washed away revealed that skin served as a possible nicotine depot, because nicotine concentration in the receptor compartment continued to increase after removing the nicotine from the surface. The length of contact time affected the amount of substance passing the skin, resulting in great difference between 3 and 5min contact time, 5min giving higher nicotine concentration and 3min lower. This emphasized the importance of rapidly washing away nicotine spilled on skin. The two glove types were tested and found to be appropriate in their use with nicotine if changed regularly. [OSHDB]

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