Sulfur

Direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Administrative data

Endpoint:

direct observations: clinical cases, poisoning incidents and other

Type of information:

experimental study

Adequacy of study:

disregarded due to major methodological deficiencies

Reliability:

4 (not assignable)

Rationale for reliability incl. deficiencies:

other: This study is assigned a Klimisch score of 4 and considered not assignable.

Data source

Reference

Reference Type:

publication

Title:

Resorption of inorganic substances through the human skin; studies with the aid of radioactive sulfur (S35) and phosphorus (P32).

Author:

Geinitz W, Wust H

Year:

1955

Bibliographic source:

Z. Gesamte Exp. Med.;125(6):587-95

Materials and methods

Study type:

study with volunteers

GLP compliance:

not specified

Test material

Test material information

Constituent 1

Reference substance name:

Sulfur

EC Number:

231-722-6

EC Name:

Sulfur

Cas Number:

7704-34-9

Molecular formula:

S

IUPAC Name:

sulfur

Results and discussion

Any other information on results incl. tables

When radioactively labelled elemental sulphur (physical form not further specified) in eucerin was applied under a cover to the backs of four people for 8 hours, at least ca. 0.5% was absorbed through the skin, as it was excreted as sulphate in urine. This study is not useful for quantitative purposes, since the amount of applied dose, the size of the exposed skin area and the amount recovered from the site of exposure were not reported. However, the results do indicate that some proportion of sulphur may pass through the skin into systemic circulation.

Following dermal application of radioactive sulphur to the backs of 4 subjects for 8 hours, radioactivity was detectable in the urine after 2 hours and reached a peak after 6 hours.  After 20 hours, 0.52% had been eliminated
via the urine.  1.0% of the dose was absorbed through the skin.

Applicant's summary and conclusion

Conclusions:

The results indicate that post dermal application, some proportion of sulfur may pass through the skin into systemic circulation.

Executive summary:

In a study with human volunteers, radioactively labelled sulfur (physical form not further specified) (in eucerin) was applied under a cover to the backs of four people for a period of 8 hours.

 

Following dermal application of radioactive sulfur to the backs of 4 subjects for 8 hours, radioactivity was detectable in the urine after 2 hours and 

reached a peak after 6 hours.  After 20 hours, 0.52% had been eliminated via the urine. 1.0% of the dose was absorbed through the skin.

 

At least ca. 0.5% was absorbed through the skin, as it was excreted as sulfate in urine. This study is not useful for quantitative purposes, since the amount of applied dose, the size of the exposed skin area and the amount recovered from the site of exposure were not reported.

 

However, the results do indicate that some proportion of sulfur may pass through the skin into systemic circulation.