Glossary / Health hazards
Dermal exposure
Dermal exposure is contact between a chemical and the skin. It can cause local effects such as burns, irritation or allergy, and some chemicals also pass through the skin into the bloodstream.
Explanation
Skin is the body's largest organ and its main barrier, but the barrier is imperfect. Chemicals can damage it directly, as with corrosives and irritants, trigger an immune response, as with sensitizers, or pass through it and act elsewhere in the body.
Whether a substance is absorbed depends on its chemistry, how long it stays on the skin, the area covered and the skin's condition. Cuts, rashes and damaged skin absorb much more. Warm, wet skin and occluded areas under gloves or clothing also change absorption. Some organic solvents can carry other chemicals through the skin.
Occupational exposure limits for air do not account for skin uptake. For that reason some substances carry a skin notation, warning that dermal contact can add significantly to total dose. Dermal toxicity is also classed under GHS acute toxicity with its own categories and the H310 and H311 statements.
Gloves are the main barrier, but no glove material resists everything. Selection depends on Breakthrough time and Permeation data for the specific chemical, and gloves that are torn, contaminated inside or worn too long can trap chemical against the skin.
What to do and watch for
- Select gloves using the manufacturer's chemical resistance data and the SDS, not by color or habit.
- Remove contaminated clothing quickly and wash skin with plenty of water, unless the SDS says otherwise.
- Use barrier creams only as a supplement, since they do not replace gloves.
Where it appears on an SDS
- Section 8: Exposure controls / personal protection. Recommended hand, skin and body protection is described, sometimes with glove material types.
- Section 4: First-aid measures. Skin contact first aid, such as removing clothing and flushing, is given here.
SDS content and wording vary by supplier. This page is general reference and does not replace the current SDS for your product.