Effect of Skin Types and Microenvironment of Dermal Exposure to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Derivatives and Heavy Metals

Abstract

Dermal exposure is one of the main ways for the human body to adsorb atmospheric pollutants, and different skin types significantly affect the adsorption of pollutants. This study established a simulation device using polyethylene balloons coated with different doses of glycerol trioleate to simulate oily skin, neutral skin, and dry skin types and investigated the adsorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives (NPAHs and OPAHs) and metal elements on different skin types. The results show that (1) the adsorption of NPAHs and OPAHs with different ring numbers conforms to the first-order kinetic model. The adsorption concentration of NPAHs and OPAHs by balloon-simulated skin is the highest on the oily surface, followed by the neutral surface, and the lowest on the dry surface. (2) In the four scenarios analyzed in this study, the adsorption of NPAHs and OPAHs by the skin showed that the adsorption amount was the highest in dusty weather and the lowest in the indoor area of the campus. In the indoor and outdoor environments of the campus, the adsorption amount of NPAHs was greater than that of OPAHs. (3) Among the 11 heavy metals detected, Cu was detected only in sand–blowing weather, while As, Zn, V, and Ti were detected in four cases, and their adsorption capacity was accorded with the order of V > Zn > As > Ti. Therefore, the health risks associated with skin contact with pollutants on oily skin and during sandy weather should be given more attention, and appropriate protective measures should be implemented.