The development of cutaneous limits for elemental impurities

The skin is the largest organ in the human body. As with all organs, it is a complex multilayered structure with many roles and functions, such as entry prevention of exogenous substances and limiting loss of internal water.

Normal skin, with a good level of hydration, is relatively permeable to lipid-soluble substances. This permeability has been used for the delivery of medicinal products since 3000 BC in ancient Egypt, China, and Babylon. This approach was further advanced in ~150 AD by the Greek physician Galen, known as the ‘Father of Pharmacy’, who developed some of the first plasters which contained multiple herbal drugs and were applied to the local area for absorption through the skin.

In this Almac Voice, Senior Analytical Chemist, Amanda Bole discusses the development of cutaneous limits for elemental impurities.