title: Hydrogen sulphide and phosphine interactions with human skin in vitro.
abstract: Accidental or intentional releases of toxic gases can have significant public health consequences and emergency resource demands. Management of exposed individuals during hazardous material incidents should be risk and evidence based, but there are knowledge gaps in relation to dermal absorption of gases and management advice for potentially exposed individuals. Using a modified Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in vitro toxicology protocol with human donor skin, this article reports on two common and odorous chemicals, hydrogen sulphide and phosphine. Results show that undamaged human skin provides a good barrier to hydrogen sulphide (up to 800 ppm) and phosphine (up to 1000 ppm) penetration for up to 30 min exposures, with little variability in the presence of clothing or in elevated temperature and humidity conditions. A practical guideline template for skin decontamination has been developed, and implications of the research for first responders are outlined.
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Sharyn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gaskin
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heath
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Dino
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pisaniello
authors.affiliation: 1 School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: 2 Health and Environment, School of the Environment, Flinders University, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: 3 Research and Scientific Branch, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Logan
authors.affiliation: 4 Department of Defence, Technical Support Working Group, Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office, US Government, Virginia, USA.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baxter
mesh_terms: D000327:Adsorption; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D003020:Clothing; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D003666:Decontamination; D017097:Electric Impedance; D060731:Emergency Responders; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004817:Epidermis / Q000187:drug effects*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide / Q000633:toxicity*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007306:Insecticides / Q000633:toxicity*; D007700:Kinetics; D066150:Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development; D010720:Phosphines / Q000633:toxicity*; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012869:Skin Absorption
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D002619:Chemical Warfare Agents; D007306:Insecticides; D010720:Phosphines; C044646:phosphine; D006862:Hydrogen Sulfide
keywords: Dermal; emergency response; hydrogen sulphide; phosphine; vapour