title: Dermal absorption and skin damage following hydrofluoric acid exposure in an ex vivo human skin model.
abstract: The wide industrial use of hydrofluoric acid (HF) poses a high risk for accidental dermal exposure. Despite local and systemic hazards associated with HF, information on percutaneous penetration and tissue damage is rare. In the present ex vivo study, the dermal absorption of HF (detected in terms of fluoride ions) was quantified and the skin damaging potential as a function of concentration and exposure duration was assessed. Percutaneous penetration of HF (c=5, 30, and 50%) at 3 exposure durations (3, 5, and 10 min) was investigated in a static diffusion cell model using freshly excised human skin. Alterations of skin were histologically evaluated. HF rapidly penetrated through skin under formation of a considerable intradermal reservoir (∼ 13-67% of total absorbed fluoride). Histologically, epidermal alterations were detected already after exposure to 5% HF for 3 min. The degree of skin damage increased with rising concentration and exposure duration leading to coagulation necrosis. For HF concentrations of ≥ 30%, skin damage progressed into deeper skin layers. Topically applied HF concentration was the principal parameter determining HF induced skin effects. The intradermal HF retention capacity associated with progression and prolongation of HF induced skin effects must be considered in the review of skin decontamination procedures.
authors.affiliation: Institute and Out-Patient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schillerstrasse 25/29, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. Electronic address: Kathrin.Dennerlein@ipasum.med.uni-erlangen.de.
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dennerlein
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Erlangen, Ulmenweg 18, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Franklin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kiesewetter
authors.affiliation: Institute and Out-Patient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schillerstrasse 25/29, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sonja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kilo
authors.affiliation: Institute and Out-Patient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schillerstrasse 25/29, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jäger
authors.affiliation: Institute and Out-Patient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schillerstrasse 25/29, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Göen
authors.affiliation: Institute and Out-Patient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schillerstrasse 25/29, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Gintautas
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Korinth
authors.affiliation: Institute and Out-Patient Clinic of Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), Schillerstrasse 25/29, 91054 Erlangen, Germany.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Drexler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D015386:Hazardous Substances / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D006801:Humans; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000187:drug effects*; D013997:Time Factors; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid
keywords: Diffusion cell; Ex vivo human skin model; Hydrofluoric acid; Percutaneous absorption; Skin damage