Published by De Gruyter

Volume 29 Issue 3 - Special Issue: Skin and the environment / Issue Editors: Howard I. Maibach, Garrett Coman and Nicholas R. Blickenstaff

Issue of Reviews on Environmental Health

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Contents
Journal Overview

Publicly Available October 2, 2014

Editorial

October 2, 2014

Skin and the environment

Garrett Coman, Nicholas R. Blickenstaff, Howard I. Maibach

Page range: 143-143

September 13, 2014

Biology of percutaneous penetration

Nicholas R. Blickenstaff, Garrett Coman, Collin M. Blattner, Rosa Andersen, Howard I. Maibach

Page range: 145-155

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous penetration is a passive process that can occur following skin exposure to chemicals used in agriculture, industry, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and in the household. Once a penetrant is absorbed into the skin it may cause a local reaction or enter systemic circulation to produce widespread effects. Improved understanding of the skin barrier and biological aspects that impede absorption of topical substances is essential for advancing the fields of dermatotoxicology and dermatopharmacology as they pertain to percutaneous penetration. Methods: Pubmed search results for “percutaneous penetration”, “absorption”, “stratum corneum”, “xenobiotics”, “skin factors”, “decontamination”, and “transdermal” were reviewed from 1965 to 2014. Relevant articles discussing the influence of biological factors on percutaneous penetration of topical substances were included. Results: Absorption of a topical substance across the skin is most notably influenced by concentration, contact duration, frequency, and the surface area exposed. The interplay between these factors, along with skin biology and the physiochemical properties of the penetrant, can lead to enhanced percutaneous penetration. Conclusion: Percutaneous penetration is a highly complicated and dynamic process influenced by numerous skin and environmental factors. Although research over the last few decades has provided plenty of new insights to improve our understanding of percutaneous penetration, many areas lack clarity due to conflicting data.

September 16, 2014

Sampling the stratum corneum for toxic chemicals

Garrett Coman, Nicholas R. Blickenstaff, Collin M. Blattner, Rosa Andersen, Howard I. Maibach

Page range: 157-162

Abstract

Dermal exposure is an important pathway in environmental health. Exposure comes from contaminated water, soil, treated surfaces, textiles, aerosolized chemicals, and agricultural products. It can occur in homes, schools, play areas, and work settings in the form of industrial sources, consumer products, or hazardous wastes. Dermal exposure is most likely to occur through contact with liquids, water, soil, sediment, and contaminated surfaces. The ability to detect and measure exposure to toxic materials on the skin is an important environmental health issue. The stratum corneum is the skin’s first and principal barrier layer of protection from the outside world. It has a complex structure that can effectively protect against a wide variety of physical, chemical, and biological contaminants. However, there are a variety of chemical agents that can damage the stratum corneum and the underlying epidermis, dermis and subcutis, and/or enter systemic circulation through the skin. There are numerous ways of sampling the stratum corneum for these toxic materials like abrasion techniques, biopsy, suction blistering, imaging, washing, wipe sampling, tape stripping, and spot testing. Selecting a method likely depends on the particular needs of the situation. Hence, there is a need to review practical considerations for their use in sampling the stratum corneum for toxins.

September 10, 2014

Textile allergic contact dermatitis: current status

Garrett Coman, Collin M. Blattner, Nicholas R. Blickenstaff, Rosa Andersen, Howard I. Maibach

Page range: 163-168

Abstract

Materials and methods: We conducted a thorough review of Pubmed search results for “textile percutaneous penetration” and “textile absorption”. We also determined relevant articles that discussed percutaneous penetration of textiles into the skin and their associated disease states. Limitations: Due to limitations in current and past publications, we are uncertain of the extent of the clinical problem; however, for patients allergic to textile dye, it is of practical importance, both clinically and in their everyday life. Conclusions: There are many challenges to correctly identifying the offending textile products in a patient with suspected textile dye dermatitis. Different populations may exhibit varying degrees of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), but more studies must be done to draw further conclusions. This is further complicated when counseling the patient on how to avoid the textile products most likely to cause a recurrence of ACD skin lesions.

September 3, 2014

Percutaneous absorption from soil

Rosa Marie Andersen, Garrett Coman, Nicholas R. Blickenstaff, Howard I. Maibach

Page range: 169-174

Abstract

Some natural sites, as a result of contaminants emitted into the air and subsequently deposited in soil or accidental industrial release, have high levels of organic and non-organic chemicals in soil. In occupational and recreation settings, these could be potential sources of percutaneous exposure to humans. When investigating percutaneous absorption from soil – in vitro or vivo – soil load, particle size, layering, soil “age” time, along with the methods of performing the experiment and analyzing the results must be taken into consideration. Skin absorption from soil is generally reduced compared with uptake from water/acetone. However, the absorption of some compounds, e.g., pentachlorophenol, chlorodane and PCB 1254, are similar. Lipophilic compounds like dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, benzo[A]pyrene, and metals have the tendency to form reservoirs in skin. Thus, one should take caution in interpreting results directly from in vitro studies for risk assessment; in vivo validations are often required for the most relevant risk assessment.

August 5, 2014

Percutaneous absorption of water in skin: a review

Collin M. Blattner, Garett Coman, Nicholas R. Blickenstaff, Howard I. Maibach

Page range: 175-180

Abstract

Background: The stratum corneum has a wide variety of important functions, including host protection from foreign chemicals and bacteria, water loss prevention, and body temperature regulation. While water absorption studies on healthy intact skin are abundant, data on the percutaneous absorption of water in diseased skin are less common. Methods: We reviewed Pubmed search results for “stratum corneum”, “absorption”, “percutaneous” and “water”, and determined relevant articles that discussed percutaneous penetration of water into skin. Results: Both percutaneous absorption of water and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) rates increase when the stratum corneum is damaged. Conclusions: Heating the skin increases the rate of percutaneous penetration of water, while freezing does not alter the absorption of water. Patients with diseases like psoriasis and atopic dermatitis have increased TEWL compared with disease-free individuals.

September 6, 2014

The influence of vapor pressure of chemicals on dermal penetration

Sarah Gilpin

Page range: 181-184

Abstract

Dermal exposure is an important route of entry for chemicals in occupational and consumer settings. Key to this exposure is the penetration of the skin’s barrier, and key to this penetration is a chemical’s vapor pressure. Until now, vapor pressure and its effects on the skin have yet to be widely studied. This review aims to provide some historical background on early work on dermal penetration for volatile materials, which has helped form later research into the effects of vapor pressure on chemical risk assessment for dermal exposures. This review should be the start of an investigation into more in-depth coverage of vapor pressure and current prediction models.

September 22, 2014

Allergic contact dermatitis: clinical aspects

Jean-Marie Lachapelle

Page range: 185-194

Abstract

The best way to be acquainted with the various facets of clinical lesions of allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is to refer to the concept of the ACD syndrome. Obtaining differential diagnosis between irritant contact dermatitis and ACD based on clinical grounds is difficult. Moreover, hand eczema and photoalleregic contact dermatitis deserve special attention. The patch test remains the “gold standard” diagnostic tool, but many other very useful complementary tests have been developed in recent years.

October 2, 2014

Irritant contact dermatitis

Iris S. Ale, Howard I. Maibach

Page range: 195-206

Abstract

Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD) is the most common form of contact dermatitis. It represents the cutaneous response to the toxic/physical effects of a wide variety of environmental agents. Nowadays, it is recognized that irritancy does not represent a single monomorphous entity but rather a complex biologic syndrome with diverse pathophysiology and clinical manifestations. The clinical presentation is highly variable depending on several factors, including properties and strength of the irritant, dose, duration and frequency of exposure, environmental factors, and skin susceptibility. The pathophysiological mechanism depends on activation of the innate immune system and involves skin barrier disruption, cellular changes, and release of proinflammatory mediators that directly recruit and activate T lymphocytes. The diagnosis of irritant contact dermatitis is often clinical, and involves a comprehensive history and examination, as well as the exclusion of allergic contact dermatitis with patch testing. Recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis as well as better awareness of the clinical significance of ICD will lead to a improved care for our patients.

August 19, 2014

Contact urticaria and the environment

Ana Giménez-Arnau

Page range: 207-215

Abstract

The environment is defined by the aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, or influences. The biophysical environment includes the physical and biological factors, along with chemical interactions that affect an organism. Contact dermatitis includes any inflammatory skin reaction to direct or indirect contact with noxious agents in the environment. Although the main clinical expression of contact dermatitis is eczema, other expressions like urticaria, contact urticaria (CoU), or lichenoid eruptions are described. The main objective of this chapter is to review CoU, which is often misdiagnosed, as part of the CoU syndrome (CUS).

October 2, 2014

Cutaneous irritancy of water

Ting-Shun Wang, Tsen-Fang Tsai

Page range: 217-220

Abstract

Water is an ubiquitous irritant that exerts its irritancy through different mechanisms. Water passage and optimal water content is a highly controlled process of human skin and changes in the water gradient may lead to skin diseases. The pH, osmolarity, and temperature of water can all be attributes of water irritancy. In addition, the irritancy of water is also determined by individual susceptibility.

September 24, 2014

Environmental airborne contact dermatoses

Jean-Marie Lachapelle

Page range: 221-231

Abstract

This chapter is complementary to Chapter 4 published in the same series. Airborne contact dermatitis (ABCD) is considered a prototype in the field of environmental dermatology. It is often underestimated in most textbooks of general dermatology, despite its frequent occurrence in daily life. ABCD may be irritant, allergic, phototoxic, or photoallergic. Airborne contact urticaria is another example. A particular clinical aspect is the “head and neck dermatitis”, which occurs in atopic adult patients. Occupational ABCD represents a most difficult issue in terms of diagnostic procedures. It is obvious that non-occupational ABCD cases involve similar problems, usually easier to solve, and our comments refer to both conditions. Two examples of potentially airborne skin infections (e.g., anthrax and Ebola virus hemorrhagic fever) are also described because they are closely related to the same problematics. A new example of airborne irritant contact dermatitis, not reported so far, is linked with the use of continuous airway pressure in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.

October 2, 2014

Photoallergy

Golara Honari

Page range: 233-242

Abstract

Photoallergic contact dermatitis (PACD) is a hypersensitivity reaction mounting from skin exposure to generally harmless amounts of ultraviolet and/or visible light in the presence of a photoreactive allergen. These reactions are typically delayed type (Gell and Coombs type IV) reactions and require pre-sensitization to photoallergens. Phototoxic reactions are clinically similar and often difficult to differentiate from photoallergies, but they are caused by interaction of light with photoirritants and do not require sensitization. The main investigative technique to diagnose PACD is photopatch testing, which is not commonly used; therefore, PACD may be overlooked in many patients. Currently, leading contact photosensitizers are sunscreens and topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This article provides an overview on photocontact allergies.

September 22, 2014

UV light and skin aging

Jéssica Eleonora Pedroso Sanches Silveira, Débora Midori Myaki Pedroso

Page range: 243-254

Abstract

This article reviews current data about the relationship between sun radiation and skin, especially with regards ultraviolet light and the skin aging process. The benefits of sun exposition and the photoaging process are discussed. Finally, the authors present a review of photoprotection agents that are commercially available nowadays.

September 12, 2014

Non-melanoma skin cancer: occupational risk from UV light and arsenic exposure

Simona Surdu

Page range: 255-265

Abstract

Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) has a significant impact on public health and health care costs as a result of high morbidity and disfigurement due to the destruction of surrounding tissues. Although the mortality rates of these tumors are low, the high incidence rates determine a considerable number of deaths. NMSC is the most common type of skin cancer, representing about 1/3 of all malignancies diagnosed worldwide each year. The most common NMSC are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Studies on humans and experimental animals indicate that ultraviolet (UV) light and arsenic play important roles in the development of these skin malignancies. Several epidemiological studies have investigated the risk of developing NMSC and the potential link between exposure to sunlight and arsenic in the agricultural and industrial occupational settings. To date, the published literature suggests that there is no apparent skin cancer risk as regards workplace exposure to artificial UV light or arsenic. Concerning UV light from sun exposure at the workplace, most published studies indicated an elevated risk for SCC, but are less conclusive for BCC. Many of these studies are limited by the methodology used in the evaluation of occupational exposure and the lack of adjustment for major confounders. Therefore, further epidemiological studies are required to focus on exposure assessment at the individual level as well as potential interactions with other occupational and non-occupational exposures and individual susceptibility. In doing so, we can better quantify the true risk of skin cancer in exposed workers and inform effective public health prevention programs.

September 24, 2014

Skin cancer: role of ultraviolet radiation in carcinogenesis

Silvia E. Mancebo, Steven Q. Wang

Page range: 265-273

Abstract

UV radiation is a carcinogen known to play a role in the development of non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers. Acute and chronic exposure to UV radiation causes clinical and biological effects that promote the unregulated proliferation of skin cells. In recent decades, changes in climate and increased air pollution have led to environmental changes that increase UV light transmission. In this chapter, we discuss sources of UV radiation that are relevant to human health, as well as the acute and chronic effects that result from UV radiation exposure.

About this journal

Objective
Reviews on Environmental Health is an international peer-reviewed journal that aims to fill the need for publication of review articles on hot topics in the field of environmental health. It is intended to be an inspiring forum for scientists, environmentalists, physicians, engineers, and students who are concerned with aspects of human health, including quality of life, that are determined by physiological and psychosociological interactions between humans and physical, chemical, biological, and social factors in the environment.
Reviews on Environmental Health is an important niche not served by any other journal, namely, a place to publish thoughtful reviews on a variety of topics related to both health and the environment. One challenge is to link the research on environmental causes of disease to the clinical practice of medicine. Reviews on Environmental Health is a source of integrated information on environmental health topics that will be of value to the broad scientific community, whether students, junior and senior professionals, or clinicians.

Topics

Environmental toxicology
Neurotoxicology
Immunology
Oncology
Dermatology
Epidemiology
Molecular biology
Pharmacogenetics
Child health
Medicine, occupational health and risk assessment
Water, air, and soil quality control
Methods for biomonitoring and remediation

Article formats
Reviews, Letters to the Editor, Editorials

Volume 29 Issue 3 - Special Issue: Skin and the environment / Issue Editors: Howard I. Maibach, Garrett Coman and Nicholas R. Blickenstaff

Issue of Reviews on Environmental Health

Frontmatter

Skin and the environment

Biology of percutaneous penetration

Abstract

Sampling the stratum corneum for toxic chemicals

Abstract

Textile allergic contact dermatitis: current status

Abstract

Percutaneous absorption from soil

Abstract

Percutaneous absorption of water in skin: a review

Abstract

The influence of vapor pressure of chemicals on dermal penetration

Abstract

Allergic contact dermatitis: clinical aspects

Abstract

Irritant contact dermatitis

Abstract

Contact urticaria and the environment

Abstract

Cutaneous irritancy of water

Abstract

Environmental airborne contact dermatoses

Abstract

Photoallergy

Abstract

UV light and skin aging

Abstract

Non-melanoma skin cancer: occupational risk from UV light and arsenic exposure

Abstract

Skin cancer: role of ultraviolet radiation in carcinogenesis

Abstract