A quantitative method for estimating dermal benzene absorption from benzene-containing hydrocarbon liquids.

This study examines a method for estimating the dermal absorption of benzene contained in hydrocarbon liquids that contact the skin. This method applies to crude oil, gasoline, organic solvents, penetrants, and oils. The flux of benzene through occluded skin as a function of the percent vol/vol benzene in the liquid is derived by fitting a curve to experimental data; the function is supralinear at benzene concentrations < or = 5% vol/vol. When a liquid other than pure benzene is on nonoccluded skin, benzene may preferentially evaporate from the liquid, which thereby decreases the benzene flux. We present a time-averaging method here for estimating the reduced dermal flux during evaporation. Example calculations are presented for benzene at 2% vol/vol in gasoline, and for benzene at 0.1% vol/vol in a less volatile liquid. We also discuss other factors affecting dermal absorption.