Use of qualitative and quantitative fluorescence techniques to assess dermal exposure

Fluorescent tracers provide a way of simultaneously assessing the mass of a contaminant hazardous substance on the surface of the skin of a worker and the area of skin exposed. These parameters, along with the duration of exp osure and the estimated contaminant concentration in the skin contamination layer, can be used to calculate the likely uptake through the skin. Repeat ed assessment of the mass of tracer on a surface within a room or on the su rface of the skin can also allow the net transfer of contaminant to that co mpartment to be estimated. Qualitative evaluation of transfer processes usi ng fluorescent tracers can help identify important secondary sources of exp osure. (C) 2000 British Occupational Hygiene Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd, All rights reserved.