Riviere, J.E., N.A. Monteiro-Riviere, J.D. Brooks, K. Budsaba and C. Smith. Dermal Absorption and Toxicity of Jet Fuels. The Toxicologist 1999. 48(1S): 71. Abstract #334.

Dermal exposure to jet fuels has received increased attention with the recent release of newer fuels with novel performance additives. The purpose of these studies was to assess the percutaneous absorption and cutaneous disposition of topically applied (25 ul/5 cm2) net JetA, JP-8 and JP-8 (100) jet fuels by monitoring the absorptive flux of the marker components [14C] naphthalene (N) and [3H]dodecane (D) simultaneously applied non-occluded to isolated perfused porcine skin flaps (IPPSF) (n=4). Absorption of these markers were also assessed using JP-8 applied to cotton fabric and from a non-volatile JP-8 fraction reflecting exposure to residual fuel that might occur 24 hrs after a jet fuel spill. Perfusate, stratum corneum and skin concentrations were assessed over 5 hrs. Cutaneous toxicity to all jet fuels was separately evaluated in vivo in pigs at 5 and 24 hrs. N absorption demonstrated a clear peak absorptive flux within 30 min while D had a prolonged albeit ten-fold lower, absorption flux profile. N absorption into perfusate was two-fold greater from JP-8 (100) compared to Jet-A, however Jet-A produced double the skin concentrations of either JP-8 fuel. D absorption was mildly suppressed in JP-8 (100) compared to Jet-A and JP-8, with Jet-A again showing the highest skin concentrations. Topical exposure to JP-8 from fabric resulted in a six-fold (N) and 20-fold (D) decrease in perfusate absorption compared to liquid JP-8 exposure, however it also produced the highest N skin levels of any exposure scenario. These studies clearly demonstrate differential jet fuel additive effects on N and D absorption as well as uncoupling of perfusate absorption from skin disposition.