Rapid breakthrough of 131I in an in vitro human epidermis model

Abstract Skin contamination with radionuclides may cause local radiation damage, but also systemic distribution if the nuclides penetrate the epidermal membrane. Detailed information of the skin absorption of radionuclides is of importance for e.g. dose estimations and development of decontamination strategies. In the present study, penetration of 131 I through human epidermis was studied using an in vitro flow through diffusion chamber. Epidermis was exposed to a Na 131 I-solution, used in nuclear medicine, and the potential concentration-dependency of skin penetration was examined by including two concentrations of non-radioactive NaI. Penetration of 131 I occurred after a few minutes of exposure and steady state penetration rate was obtained after about 50–70 min independently of the iodine concentration and receptor solution used. The two receptor solutions evaluated; phosphate buffered saline solution and an ethanol and water-mixture (1:1), resulted in significantly higher penetration rate of 131 I using the ethanol and water-mixture. The penetration of iodine was calculated to be concentration-dependent independently of the receptor solution utilized. In addition, radioactive iodine did not accumulate in epidermis in the in vitro- model used. In conclusion, the present study provides detailed information on the rapid iodine penetration at the early phase of radionuclide exposure, defined as the first 30 min of the experiment, and is clearly suitable for decontamination studies. In addition, methodological aspects, e.g. impact of the receptor solution, should carefully be considered in studies of radionuclide skin penetration using in vitro -techniques.