Factors Influencing the Percutaneous Penetration of Soman Vapour Using the 'With Blood Perfused Pig Ear' Model

摘要

The main question tackled in this project was whether it was reasonable to use Ct to predict the biological effect of chronic dermal exposure to low concentrations of soman vapour. Our results indicate that Ct cannot be used to predict the risk of an adverse effect after chronic exposure (4 hr) to low concentrations of soman vapour. Once the concentration of soman in the vapour falls below a minimum value it does not penetrate into the blood over periods comparable to half a working day. Although it is unlikely that dermal exposure to soman vapour, at Cts much higher than that suggested by NATO, would result in a measurable biological effect under normal conditions, our results indicate that: (a) dermal damage (only 1 ear), and (b) sweating (e.g., when wearing protective clothing) can result in significant increases in systemic body burden. Furthermore, it is conceivable that pre-exposure to chemicals with a similar mode of action, e.g., organophosphorous pesticides, could saturate protective mechanisms in the skin (e.g., binding sites) and increase the susceptibility of the victim to a subsequent exposure to soman. The consequences of these considerations are not known.