title: In vitro permeation of platinum and rhodium through Caucasian skin.
abstract: During platinum group metals (PGMs) refining the possibility exists for dermal exposure to PGM salts. The dermal route has been questioned as an alternative route of exposure that could contribute to employee sensitisation, even though literature has been focused on respiratory exposure. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro permeation of platinum and rhodium through intact Caucasian skin. A donor solution of 0.3mg/ml of metal, K2PtCl4 and RhCl3 respectively, was applied to the vertical Franz diffusion cells with full thickness abdominal skin. The receptor solution was removed at various intervals during the 24h experiment, and analysed with high resolution ICP-MS. Skin was digested and analysed by ICP-OES. Results indicated cumulative permeation with prolonged exposure, with a significantly higher mass of platinum permeating after 24h when compared to rhodium. The mass of platinum retained inside the skin and the flux of platinum across the skin was significantly higher than that of rhodium. Permeated and skin retained platinum and rhodium may therefore contribute to sensitisation and indicates a health risk associated with dermal exposure in the workplace.
authors.affiliation: North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. Electronic address: anja.franken@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franken
authors.affiliation: North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. Electronic address: fritz.eloff@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Eloff
authors.affiliation: Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. Electronic address: jeanetta.duplessis@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Du Plessis
authors.affiliation: North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. Electronic address: cas.badenhorst@angloamerican.com.
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Badenhorst
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Electron Microscopy CRB, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. Electronic address: anine.jordaan@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jordaan
authors.affiliation: North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa. Electronic address: johan.duplessis@nwu.ac.za.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Du Plessis
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D010539:Permeability; D010984:Platinum / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity; D012238:Rhodium / Q000493:pharmacokinetics* / Q000633:toxicity; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010984:Platinum; D012238:Rhodium
keywords: Caucasian skin; Franz diffusion cells; Platinum group metals (PGMs); Skin permeation; Skin sensitisation