Permeation of chromium salts through human skin in vitro

Abstract

Chromium permeation studies were performed on full thickness human skin in diffusion cells. All samples were analysed for the total chromium content by graphite furnace Zeeman-corrected atomic absorption spectrometry. Some samples were analysed by an ion chromatographic method permitting the simultaneous determination of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) as well. The amounts of chromium found in all skin layers were significantly higher when potassium dichromate was applied to the skin compared with chromium chloride or chromium nitrate. Chromium could only be detected in the recipient phase after application of the dichromate solution. Chromium skin levels increased with increasing concentrations of applied chromium salts up to 0.034 M Cr. The amount of chromium in recipient phase and skin layers increased with increasing pH when the applied solution contained potassium dichromate. This was ascribed to a decreased skin barrier function of the skin. The amount of chromium found in all skin layers after application of chromium chloride decreased with increasing pH due to lower solubility of the salt. The % of chromium found in the recipient phase as chromium(VI) increased with increasing total chromium concentration indicating a limited reduction ability of the skin in vitro.

Safety evaluation of metal exposure from commonly used moisturizing and skin-lightening creams in Nigeria

“…Several studies have shown that potassium dichromate was one of the strongest sensitizers (Machovcova et al, 2005;Sharma and Chakrabarti, 1998). Several studies have shown that Cr(VI) can permeate the skin to a larger extent than Cr(III) because of the higher solubility (Gammelgaard et al, 1992;Larese et al, 2007;Van Lierde et al, 2006). Other variables that influence the permeation of Cr through the skin include time of contact, synthetic sweat at low pH and the use of a cleanser (Larese Filon et al, 2008).…”

Evaluation of Cadmium, Chromium, Nickel, and Zinc in Biological Samples of Psoriasis Patients Living in Pakistani Cement Factory Area

“…Cr (III) has not been considered to play a significant part in contact allergy because of a low allergenic potency. The penetration of Cr (VI) into the epidermis is much higher than that of Cr III [39]. Back in the 1950s, professionals already recognized that water-soluble Cr was the cause of cement allergy.…”

“…The difference in allergenic potency between Cr (III) and Cr (VI) is thought partly to be a result of differences in skin permeability. The skin absorption capability of Cr (III) compounds has been demonstrated to be less than that of Cr (VI) compounds [39]. This results in a lower bioavailability of Cr (III) and thereby, a lower allergenicity.…”

Does the EU migration level of chromium VI in toys need to be lowered?

“…Penetration of chromium VI salts through the skin occurs especially if the skin is damaged (Gammelgaard et al, 1992). Studies with volunteers showed that the reductive capacity of the skin is not sufficient to prevent systemic uptake of chromium VI from locally applied chromium.…”