A physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for the transdermal uptake of semivolatile organic compounds from the atmosphere and through clothing

This study focuses on the semivolatile organic compound (SVOC) absorption through clothing and the skin. SVOCs are ubiquitous in daily life, in products like personal care items, plastics, and building materials. Understanding their permeation through the skin barrier is crucial for evaluating potential health risks of complete exposure. A PBPK model was developed to comprehend the dynamic interplay between SVOCs and human skin and to estimate tissue distribution throughout the body. The framework incorporated parameters such as skin permeability, physicochemical properties of the chemicals, and the impact of protective clothing and adsorbents. This model predicted the rate and extent of SVOC absorption under diverse scenarios. The PBPK predictions matched the experimental amount of mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP), a phthalate metabolite, when urine samples were collected for bare-skinned and clothed participants. Urine concentrations of MEP during a 6-hr exposure and for the next 48 hr show that clean clothing effectively decreased dermal uptake and the buildup of chemicals in the body. Additional removal of MEP was achieved through adsorption on activated carbon fabric. An increase in the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity or the Langmuir equilibrium constant further reduced the amount of MEP in the urine.