Repeated Dose Skin Irritation Study on Jet Fuels - A Histopathology Study

摘要

JP-8 is the battlefield fuel for DoD and NATO countries. It's use is projected beyond 2025, with employment of additive packages to meet new weapon systems' requirements. One additive package (JP-8 + 100) currently in use increases the thermal stability of the fuel by 100 deg F. Questions have been raised about human health implications of occupational exposures to JP-8, as compared to the phased out JP-4, and to possible differences between JP-8 and JP-8 + 100. This study investigated the histopathologic effects of daily, topical, dermal exposure to JP-8 + 100, JP-4 and JP-8 in rats. Full thickness samples of control and treated skin were taken at weekly intervals during the 4- week exposure phase and the 3-week recovery phase. Proliferative, degenerative, and inflammatory changes within the epidermis and dermis were assessed and graded. Mean scores during the exposure phase (69.3 +/- 24.4, 58.9 +/- 7.8, and 69.5 +/- 20.0 for JP-8 + 100, JP-4, and JP-8, respectively) were significantly different from mean control scores of 16.8 +/- 3.6 (P < 0.0001). Treatment group scores did not differ significantly from one another. Characteristic of all treatment groups was the rapid reversibility of the lesions following withdrawal from exposure. Mean scores during the recovery phase (20.1 +/- 4.2, 19.7 +/- 2. 7, and 21.6 +/- 7.0 for JP-8 + 100, JP-4, and JP-8, respectively) did not differ from control scores.