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Summary of Studies Showing Skin Absorption of PCBs

(each entry represents a finding in a study --- some studies had multiple findings) 

Not all studies are equal in size or quality. Some examine the effects of old PCB commercial mixtures (which had variable composition), or just one or two individual types of PCBs (out of 209 possible.) Some studies use high and some use low doses of PCBs. In some cases, the exact PCB dose was unknown. 

• six brands of carbonless copy paper still contained significant PCBs, as of 1990
• PCBs stuck to the fingers of people handling the paper
• washing removed only 1/3 of the PCBs
• PCBs can be rapidly and excessively absorbed through the skin
• monkeys absorbed 17.3 to 33.9% of less concentrated PCBs
• monkeys absorbed 15.2 to 19.4% of higher concentrated PCBs
• guinea pigs absorbed 33.2 to 55.6% of PCBs
• 100% of lower chlorinated PCBs were absorbed in 48 hours, compared to 30% of high chlorinated
• lower chlorinated PCBs are rapidly absorbed, then metabolized and eliminated from the body
• higher chlorinated PCBs are absorbed more slowly, but stay and accumulate in the body
• skin absorption rates are similar in humans, pigs and rhesus monkeys
• absorption rates for rabbit and rat were significantly greater than man
• dermal absorption is a major route for PCBs entering the body
• soap and water is a suitable system for removing PCBs from contaminated ski
• PCBs can easily partition from soil into skin and be absorbed by the body.
• The largest amounts of PCBs were absorbed by human skin from contaminated water samples compared with the amounts absorbed from soil and mineral-oil
• 13.8 to 14.1% of the PCBs were absorbed through the skin
• children were considered at greatest risk from PCB contaminated soil through soil ingestion or skin contact
• the dermal route is the predominant contributor to PCB body burden
• due to the transport of PCBs on dust particles, the current primary route of exposure of most of the population to PCBs is dermal
• less chlorinated types of PCBs are much more bioavailable than the more highly chlorinated congeners.
• PCBs passed through PVC gloves, resulting in dermal PCB exposure for workers
• dermal PCB contact estimates vary depending on the type and duration of the surface wipe
• dermal absorption of PCBs is generally the route of entry into the bodies of exposed workers.
• dermal contact may have contributed to elevated PCB levels in workers
• operators experienced substantially greater exposure to PCBs through the dermal route than the respiratory route
• dermal contact was a major route of PCB exposure for workers
• PCBs are easily absorbed through dermal contact
• potential for dermal exposure was significant
• dermal contact with contaminated soil or groundwater will be with the more highly chlorinated compounds [because the lighter-weight PCBs volatilize away]
• dermal exposure (especially in accidents) should be considered an important route of exposure
• PCBs absorbed through the skin from contamination sites range from 1 to 10 percent
• NIOSH recommends workers wear gloves to protect against dermal PCB contact
• partition coefficients obtained for PCBs partitioning into stratum corneum can be useful for evaluating risks following PCB dermal exposure
• office workers may be exposed to PCBs, furans and dioxins via dermal contact after transformer or capacitor fires in their building
• dermal absorption data from liquid-organic or aqueous-organic mixtures may underestimate the risk of exposure to TCB-contaminated soil
• dermal PCB application was used to test PCB toxicity
• electrical workers had frequent skin contact with PCBs and other dielectric oils
• PCBs can penetrate the skin readily when applied as a solid or aqueous paste or suspension, or when dissolved in ethanol
• HCB absorption was greater after solids application than after application in ethanol or as an aqueous paste or suspension.
• 80-90% of HCB was removed by washing
• TCB absorption did not vary significantly with type of application
• 61-90% of TCB was removed by washing
• 5-8% of the doses were absorbed
• HCB had greater absorption in young rats
• skin absorption of most of the compounds studied is age and dose dependent in female rats
• in 5 days, about 43-45% of the HCB was absorbed through rats’ skin
• absorption was faster in young animals
• most of the absorbed HCB remained in the body
• skin contact with PCBs can pose a significant risk
• the chief concern was skin contact with PCBs
• a major concern was skin contact with PCBs
• protective equipment is recommended to avoid skin contact with PCBs
• skin contact with PCBs is considered a risk
• workers should avoid skin contact with PCB containing materials

researchers found a low dermal absorption rate in one volunteer subject

• Evidence that PCBs are Absorbed Through the Skin
• Summary of Skin Damage Study Results
• Skin Damage Caused by PCBs
• Other PCB Contamination Sites With Skin Contact Risks
• Links to More Information
• References