Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): dermal absorption, systemic elimination, and dermal wash efficiency. [Guinea pigs, monkeys]

Journal Article · · J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States)

OSTI ID:6914267

Wester, R C; Bucks, D A.W.; Maibach, H I; Anderson, J

The dermal absorption, systemic elimination, and dermal wash efficiency for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined. /sup 14/C-labeled 42% PCB and /sup 14/C-labeled 54% PCB were topically and parenterally administered to rhesus monkeys and guinea pigs. Dermal absorption, determined by /sup 14/C urinary excretion, was extensive. In guinea pigs, 33% of the applied /sup 14/C-labeled 42% PCB dose and 56% of the /sup 14/C-labeled 54% PCB dose were absorbed. In rhesus monkeys, 15-34% of the labeled 42% PCB was dermally absorbed, depending on the magnitude of the applied dose. /sup 14/C-labeled 42% PCB applied to guinea pig skin was immediately washed with water and acetone. Only 59% of the applied dose was removed from the skin. A post-24-h washing removed only 1% of applied labeled 42% PCB and 20% of applied labeled 54% PCB. Postcontamination washing cannot be assumed to remove all contaminated PCB from skin. The body elimination of /sup 14/C was continuous and slow, with elimination half-lives on the order of 2-3 d in the guinea pig and 4-7 d in the monkey. Only 50-65% of an intramuscular dose could be accounted for in urine and feces for up to 28 d excretion. The elimination half-lives following topical administration were not much greater than that following intramuscular administration. This suggests that PCBs are rapidly and extensively absorbed through the skin, and that they are then probably generally distributed throughout the body, and then slowly eliminated.

• Research Organization: Univ. of California, Davis
• OSTI ID: 6914267
• Journal Information: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States), Journal Name: J. Toxicol. Environ. Health; (United States) Vol. 12:4-6; ISSN JTEHD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560305* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology-- Vertebrates-- (-1987)
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ABSORPTION
ANIMALS
AROMATICS
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CLEANING
CLEARANCE
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION
EXCRETION
GUINEA PIGS
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
INJECTION
INTAKE
INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTION
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MONKEYS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
PRIMATES
REMOVAL
RODENTS
SKIN ABSORPTION
TISSUE DISTRIBUTION
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES
WASHING