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Dermal toxicity

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Dermal

Definition

• Dermal refers to a something used on or applied to the skin.

• Transdermal refers to something (such as a medication or drug) being delivered through the skin. You may be familiar with transdermal nicotine or motion sickness patches which are applied to the skin.

Additional Info

Some chemicals can move through the skin very easily and can carry toxic compounds along with them that would not ordinarily penetrate the skin by themselves. One such example is dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a common industrial solvent. Always use extreme care around liquids and wear proper gloves for the solvents you are working with.

Many chemicals can cause conditions such as dermatitis when they contact the skin. These effects can by chronic or acute depending on the nature of the chemical and the exposure. See our entry on cutaneous for additional information.

MSDS Relevance

When you see this word on an MSDS, it is usually describing a possible result of getting the material on your skin. Therefore, be sure to use proper skin protection such as gloves or an apron.

The skin is the largest organ of your body. If your body is splashed with a hazardous chemical, it is important to immediately rinse it off, removing affected clothing if necessary. Your workplace should have either drench hoses or an emergency safety shower if you are working with chemicals that can damage the skin. This is especially true for corrosives such as acids and bases or chemicals which readily penetrate the skin such as hydrofluoric acid and phenols.

Further Reading Dermal Exposure at OSHA explains how to prevent skin exposure to chemicals in the workplace. Glove selection and usage at the University of California, San Diego. Includes info about latex allergies and more. The U.S. CDC's NIOSH has a web site devoted to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and includes topics such as Skin Exposures and Effects as well as Recommendations for Chemical Protective Clothing. Skin Anatomy from Gray's Anatomy. Dermal Absorption, EHC 325, an extensively detailed document developed by the WHO, ILO and UN. The 3 Skin Layers: epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous fat at Procter & Gamble. The Annals of Emergency Medicine discusses Clinical Policy for the Initial Approach to Patients Presenting With Acute Toxic Ingestion or Dermal or Inhalation Exposure in Volume 33, Number 6, June 1999 (subscription required). See also: cutaneous, dermal toxicity, dermatitis, PPE. Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

When you work around chemicals be sure you have a safety station like this one from Safety Emporium.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is believed to be true and accurate, however ILPI makes no guarantees concerning the veracity of any statement. Use of any information on this page is at the reader's own risk. ILPI strongly encourages the reader to consult the appropriate local, state and federal agencies concerning the matters discussed herein.