Perspectives on percutaneous penetration of nanomaterials

Abstract

The skin may be an unintended route for localized and systemic exposure to nanoparticles released during the manufacture, use, and disposal of nanomaterials. Percutaneous absorption is a dynamic process and there are many components with which a penetrant interacts before possibly gaining systemic access. Here, the classic ten steps of percutaneous penetration are expanded to 15 perspectives. These are issues considered from the perspective of nanoparticles and the potential risks of dermal exposure. Although much remains to be done in the field of dermatotoxicology of nanomaterials, uncertainties regarding the impact of nanoscale materials would be helped by greater consistency in methodologies used to assess health risks. Without extensive validation of highly standardized and well-controlled test systems, in vitro data alone cannot be used in place of in vivo data.