Insights into the Dermal Absorption, Percutaneous Penetration, and Tissue Distribution of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs): Evidence from Human Skin Wipes and In Vivo Rat Models

作者：Yuhao Cao, Zhiguo Cao, Leicheng Zhao, Pingping Wang, Shaohan Zhang, Yumeng Shi, Hongkai Zhu, Lei Wang, Hongwen Sun, Zhipeng Cheng · 发表于：Environmental Science & Technology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1021/acs.est.5c01632 · 被引用次数：13 · 研究领域：Environmental Chemistry and Analysis、Molecular Sensors and Ion Detection、Water Treatment and Disinfection

Humans are frequently exposed to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) via direct dermal contact with disinfectants and personal care products. However, the dermal exposure, skin penetration, and tissue distribution behavior of QACs remain unclear. Herein, we used human skin wipe samples and an in vivo rat model to explore the dermal absorption, percutaneous penetration, and exposure behaviors of 19 QACs with different physicochemical properties. QACs were frequently detected in hand wipe samples ( n = 99), with a median total concentration of 17,200 ng/m 2 . Females had significantly higher ( p < 0.05) skin exposure levels to QACs than males. The application of skin care products could contribute to the dermal exposure of QACs. The skin-permeable fraction of QACs in Sprague–Dawley rats ranged from 9.09% ± 0.97% to 25.2% ± 3.89% and from 9.53% ± 0.83% to 20.5% ± 1.44% in low- (1.7 μg/cm 2 ) and high-dose (4.2 μg/cm 2 ) groups, respectively. The skin accumulation and penetration behaviors of QACs were associated with their log K ow values, molecular weights, and chain lengths, with varied correlations among different QAC categories. Fecal excretion was identified as the main elimination route for dermally adsorbed QACs. Exposure assessment emphasized the significance of dermal exposure to QACs.