Citation:

Knudsen, G., M. Hughes, AND L. Birnbaum. Dermal disposition of Tetrabromobisphenol A Bis(2,3-dibromopropyl) ether (TBBPA-BDBPE) using rat and human skin. TOXICOLOGY LETTERS. Elsevier Science Ltd, New York, NY, 301:108-113, (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxlet.2018.11.011

Impact/Purpose:

The objective of this study was to determine the dermal disposition of the brominated flame retardant Tetrabromobisphenol A Bis(2,3-dibromopropyl)ether using rat and human skin.

Description:

Tetrabromobisphenol A Bis(2,3-dibromopropyl) ether (TBBPA-BDBPE) is a high production volume brominated flame retardant (BFR) used in consumer products, resulting in ubiquitous human exposure. Although the major route of exposure for this chemical is believed to be via ingestion, dermal contact is likely via contaminated dust. Independent trials of a single dose of 100 nmol/cm2 (~1 µCi [14C]/cm2) of [14C]-radiolabeled TBBPA-BDBPE was applied to whole rat skin (in vivo) or split-thickness human and rat skin (ex vivo) to estimate in vivo human percutaneous uptake. [14C]-radioactivity was quantified to determine dermal absorption (dose retained in dosed skin) and penetrance (dose recovered in receptor fluid [ex vivo] or tissues/excreta [in vivo]) over 24 h. In vivo penetration and absorption for rat skin was 1% and 26%, with a maximum flux of 44±9 pmol/cm2/h. In ex vivo rat skin, penetration and absorption values were 0.3% and 23% (flux = 26±8 pmol/cm2/h). In ex vivo human skin, penetration was 0.2% and 53% was absorbed with a maximal flux of 16±12 pmol/cm2/h. Computed maximal flux for in vivo human skin was 21±9 pmol/cm2/h with expected penetration of <1% but a total absorbance of ~80%. HPLC-radiometric analyses of samples showed that TBBPA-BDBPE was not metabolized in ex vivo or in vivo studies. These studies indicate that TBBPA-BDBPE is likely to be dermally bioavailable even after washing and dermal contact with this chemical should be considered an important route of exposure.

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