Dissolution of Inorganic Lead (Pb) in Synthetic Sweat: Implications for Dermal Exposure and Occupational Risk

Details

• Journal Article:
  Toxics
• Personal Author:
  Obariase, Efosa ; Reichard, John F.
• Description:
  Inorganic lead (Pb) poses a significant public health concern due to its toxicity and widespread industrial use. Dermal contact, an under-researched pathway of Pb exposure relative to inhalation and ingestion, is typically not factored into regulatory exposure limits because of the paucity of validated studies. This study investigated the influence of sweat on the bioaccessibility of inorganic lead for dermal absorption. Dissolution testing was conducted to determine the dissolution kinetics of inorganic Pb (lead nitrate) in synthetic sweat relative to deionized water (DIW). Particle sizes of samples ranged from 0.70 µm to 118 µm. Non-linear dissolution kinetics were observed in both DIW (control) and sweat. The iPb ion concentration in DIW after 3 h (test period) accounted for 100% of the initial mass of iPb, compared to 67% of the initial mass of iPb in sweat. Higher variability was observed in sweat (SD: 1.47 to 8.2) compared to DIW (SD: 0.80 to 3.88). Precipitation was observed in sweat but not in DIW. Wilcoxon rank-sum test indicated a statistically significant difference in dissolution between sweat and deionized water (Z = -4.50, p < 0.0001). Findings suggest that sweat composition limits the extent of dissolution of soluble inorganic Pb, thereby influencing its dermal bioaccessibility.
• Subjects:
  Lead Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety Skin
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Pb Nitrate; Dissolution Cell; Bioaccessibility; ICP MS; Dermal Toxicology; Lead; Dermal Exposures; Body Fluids; Occupational Exposure; Dermal Absorption; Lead Absorption;
• Source:
  Toxics 2026 Mar; 14(3):258
• ISSN:
  2305-6304
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Ohio ; Chicago Region [OSHA]
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  17 pdf pages
• Volume:
  14
• Issue:
  3
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20071379
• Contact Point Address:
  Efosa Obariase, Department of Environmental Health and Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA
• Email:
  obariaea@mail.uc.edu
• CAS Registry Number:
  Lead (CAS RN 7439-92-1) ; Lead nitrate (CAS RN 10099-74-8)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2026
• Performing Organization:
  University of Cincinnati
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:d46cfd537b286382c1d5aca9f5ebc3d260339a45429605d03749bd3c8ce312fb4dbd8f3cb8948562351d4c8a31c92c896b84a45113cb6a95b64543e4ab165ea7
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/258854/cdc_258854_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 13.34 MB ]