Abstract
Biocides are commonly used as spray- or trigger-type formulations, thus dermal and respiratory exposure to biocide aerosol is unavoidable. However, little is known about the impact of aerosolization on the local toxicity of biocides on the skin or the airway. We compared the local toxicity of biocides after direct or aerosol exposure on reconstructed human skin epidermis and upper airway models. Three biocides, 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one (BIT), 2-phenoxyethanol (PE), and 2-phenylphenol (OPP), most widely used in the market were selected. When the biocide was treated in aerosols, toxicity to the skin epidermis and upper airway tissue became significantly attenuated compared with the direct application as determined by the higher tissue viabilities. This was further confirmed in histological examination, wherein the tissue damages were less pronounced. LC-MS/MS and GC/MS analysis revealed that concentrations of biocides decreased during aerosolization. Importantly, the toxicity of biocides treated in 3 μm (median mass aerodynamic diameter (MMAD)) aerosols was stronger than that of 5 μm aerosol, suggesting that the aerosol particle size may affect biocide toxicity. Collectively, we demonstrated that aerosolization could affect the local toxicity of biocides on the skin epidermis and the upper airway.
Highlights
Biocides are being widely used to disinfect skin, decontaminate surfaces, and preserve products from microbial contamination
We examined the impact of aerosolization on the local toxicity of biocides on the reconstructed human skin epidermis and the airway tissue models
Animal intra-tracheal instillation study has been widely used to investigate the respiratory toxicity of chemicals instead of the standard animal inhalation test [26]
Summary
Biocides are being widely used to disinfect skin, decontaminate surfaces, and preserve products from microbial contamination. Biocides may cause harmful effects on human health since they are designed to eliminate living organisms. Human can be exposed to biocidal products via direct dermal contact or inhalation during the use of sprayor trigger-type biocides [1]. Inhalation exposure to biocides aerosol is considered to be hazardous, as exemplified by a recent catastrophe associated with inadvertent use of a carpet decontaminating biocide, polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG), for a humidifier sterilizer [2]. PHMG is highly skin-irritating, but its oral toxicity is low. The use of PHMG as a humidifier disinfectant provoked pulmonary fibrosis, claiming hundreds of lives in Korea [3,4]. Due to the outbreak of CoViD-19 pandemic, the role of disinfectants and sanitizers has become critical in the prevention of infection, and the use of them is on the rise worldwide [5], raising an urgent need to assess their inhalation toxicity for the safe use
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
