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Transdermal uptake of benzophenone-3 from clothing: comparison of human participant results to model predictions

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 31, pages 149–157 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Models of transdermal uptake of chemicals from clothing have been developed, but not compared with recent human subject experiments. In a well-characterized experiment, participants wore t-shirts pre-dosed with benzophenone-3 (BP-3) and BP-3 and a metabolite were monitored in urine voids.

Objective

Compare a dynamic model of transdermal uptake from clothing to results of the human subject experiment.

Methods

The model simulating dynamic transdermal uptake from clothing was coupled with direct measurements of the gas phase concentration of benzophenone-3 (BP-3) near the surface of clothing to simulate the conditions of the human subject experiment.

Results

The base-case model results were consistent with the those reported for human subjects. The results were moderately sensitive to parameters such as the diffusivity in the stratum corneum (SC), the SC thickness, and SC-air partition coefficient. The model predictions were most sensitive to the clothing fit. Tighter clothing worn during exposure period significantly increased excretion rates but tighter fit “clean” clothing during post-exposure period acts as a sink that reduces transdermal absorption by transferring BP-3 from skin surface lipids to clothing. The shape of the excretion curve was most sensitive to the diffusivity in the SC and clothing fit.

Significance

This research provides further support for clothing as an important mediator of dermal exposure to environmental chemicals.

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Fig. 1: Mass (BP-3 + BP-1) (µg) excreted during the first 24 h after start of exposure.
Fig. 2: Dynamic excretion rates (μg/h) of BP-3 + BP-1.
Fig. 3: Experimental and simulated BP-3 + BP-1 excretion rates (µg/h) for different clothing fit scenarios.

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to the Center for Research in Energy and the Environment (CREE) of the Missouri University of Science & Technology. Dr. Honglan Shi, and Gary Abbott for their help with the instruments.

Funding

Thanks to A.P. Sloan Foundation and Modeling Consortium for Chemistry of Indoor Environments for support of the modeling component of this research (MOCCIE; G-2017-9706 and G2017-12306).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA

    Azin Eftekhari & Glenn C. Morrison

  2. Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO, USA

    Jonathan T. Hill

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Contributions

AE collected data, generated model simulations, drafted and revised the manuscript. JTH acquired data and helped draft the manuscript. GCM conceived of the work, supervised model simulations, revised the manuscript. All authors approved of the final version and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

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Correspondence to Glenn C. Morrison.

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Eftekhari, A., Hill, J.T. & Morrison, G.C. Transdermal uptake of benzophenone-3 from clothing: comparison of human participant results to model predictions. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 31, 149–157 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-020-00280-7

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