ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Exposure to arsenic is a serious health problem in many areas of the world. The most commonly reported route of exposure associated with adverse effects is ingestion of contaminated drinking water. In some areas, arsenic in food may also play an important role, but dermal exposure is not considered to play a role in arsenic-related adverse health effects. The potential role of the skin in arsenic exposure, however, has not been well characterized. One of the functions of skin is to prevent substances from entering the body. Although the skin is a relative effective barrier, its protective properties are not absolute. There are scant data on the dermal permeability of arsenic from contaminated water. Research investigating dermal penetration of some other metals has shown that metals can penetrate through skin and reach the systemic circulation. From these studies, it has been reported that dermal hydration, temperature, condition of the skin, anatomical site of exposure, frequency and duration of exposure, and the exposure scenario are major factors influencing dermal penetration of metals. Prolonged contact with water increases dermal hydration, which results in an increase in the permeability of the skin. Sweating permits soluble metals to bypass the stratum corneum (SC), the primary permeability barrier of the skin. This chapter will provide evidence for the dermal penetration of arsenic and other metals, and will provide a reasonable scenario for the potential penetration of arsenic.
