Dermal Absorption and Decontamination: A Comprehensive Guide

This book is a comprehensive volume dedicated to dermal absorption and decontamination. Given risks including chemical warfare and accidents with toxic industrial chemicals, studies involving dermal absorption and decontamination are of the utmost importance. Each chapter consists of a systematic review on an important dermal absorption and/or decontamination topic. Chapters address key issues such as the general acceptance of water/ soap and water as the gold standard of dermal decontamination despite the fact that it commonly provides incomplete decontamination and may even result in a “wash-in effect” (an increased penetration of contaminant). Decontamination with other substances (e.g. RSDL) is explored, and factors that affect dermal penetration (e.g. anatomical variation) are summarized. All systematic reviews are comprehensive and up-to-date. 

Dermal Absorption and Decontamination will be useful for many fields and disciplines. Firstly,information on dermal decontamination may be used by governments for military and national defense purposes in the event of chemical warfare. Additionally, this information would be of use to many production companies, whose employees are at risk of an accident with toxic industrial chemicals. Topics covered in the book will also be of use to pharmaceutical companies, especially those exploring transdermal delivery of drugs and is of great relevance to those in the medical field, particularly dermatologists. 

Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL, Canada

Rebecca M Law, PharmD

School of Pharmacy, Memorial University of Newfoundland

St. John’s, NL, Canada

Howard I Maibach, MD

Department of Dermatology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA