Percutaneous penetration of benzene in hairless mice: an estimate of dermal absorption during tire-building operations.

Repeated skin contact with solvents containing as much as 0.5% benzene is common in workers building regular bias passenger tires. To estimate the amount of benzene absorbed through the skin of these workers, a series of in vivo studies was conducted in hairless mice. Percutaneous absorption, following single dermal applications of 14C-benzene contained in rubber solvent at a concentration of 0.5% (v/v), was calculated directly from the sums of radioactivity found in excreta, expired breath, and the carcass. Data from the study, together with observations made during tire-building operations, suggest that a worker could absorb 4–8 mg of benzene daily through the skin. This compares to 14 mg per day via inhalation at the NIOSH recommended standard of 1 ppm. Thus dermal absorption could contribute from 20–40% of the total benzene dose of these workers.