Garrett, C.M., D.L. Pollard, T.E. Miller and J.N. McDougal. In Vitro Dermal Absorption of Jet Fuel (JP-8) and Its Components. The Toxicologist 1999. 48(1S): 71. Abstract #333.

Military personnel are exposed to jet fuels during many activities . These kerosene-based fuels cause irritation to the skin with repeated or continuous dermal contact and high levels have been associated with renal, hepatic, neurologic, immunologic and pulmonary toxicity in animal inhalation studies. Although the local dermal toxicity of these fuels is recognized, the potential for systemic toxicity from dermal absorption due to skin exposures has not been completely assessed. The purpose of our study was to determine the absorption of JP-8 (the Air Force's primary jet fuel since 1996) and its components so that the potential for systemic toxicity can be addressed. The dermal penetration of this complex mixture was measured over a 24-hour period using static diffusion cells with Fischer 344 rat skin. Receptor solution (6% volpo/saline) was collected at two-hour intervals and assayed by gas chromatography. The sum of the peak areas at each time point was taken as the total mass of JP-8 absorbed. Flux was determined from the slope of the cumulative absorbed curve plotted over time. The steady-state flux of JP-8 was 41.4 ug/cm2/hr. Among the major peaks in the receptor solution, several were identified as methyl benzene, ethyl benzene, dimethyl benzene, naphthalene, methyl naphthalene, dimethyl naphthalene, tridecane and dodecane. The flux of these chemicals ranged from 0.4 to 1.4 ug/cm2/hr. These results show that it will be possible to estimate systemic toxicity of the individual components of this complex hydrocarbon mixture from dermal exposures.