Percutaneous Absorption

Abstract

The skin is a primary area of body contact with the environment and is the route by which many chemicals enter the body. Introduction of chemicals into the body via the skin occurs both through passive contact with the environment and through direct application of chemicals on the body for purposes of medical therapy (skin disease, transdermal drug delivery) and as cosmetics. In most instances, the toxicity of chemicals is slight, perhaps because the bioavailability (rate and amount of absorption) of the chemical is too low to cause an immediate response; however, some chemicals applied to the skin undoubtedly have produced toxicity. Moreover, there is a continuing discovery of potentially toxic chemicals that come in contact with the skin and a growing awareness of how chemicals enter the body through the skin.