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Abstract
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/cm 2 (~1 µCi [ 14 C]/cm 2 ) of [ 14 C]-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. [ 14 C]-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 absorption and penetration for rat skin was 26% and 1%, with a maximum
flux of 44±9 pmol/cm 2 /h. In ex vivo rat skin, absorption and penetration and absorption
values were 23% and 0.3% (flux = 26±8 pmol/cm 2 /h). In ex vivo human skin, 53%
was absorbed and penetration was 0.2% with a maximal flux of 16±12 pmol/cm 2 /h. Computed
maximal flux for in vivo human skin was 21±9 pmol/cm 2 /h with expected total absorption
of ~80% and a penetration of <1%. 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.