Artificial Perspiration: A new tool in the fight against harmful PFAS exposure.
Synthetic sweat is revolutionising research into how “forever chemicals” including PFAS are absorbed through the skin, an often-overlooked exposure pathway. With advanced formulations developed by Pickering Laboratories, researchers can now simulate chemical interactions between manufactured products and skin surface liquid film (SSLF), our sweat, with precision.
How skin absorption plays a role
Studies on PBDEs and BFRs highlight the importance of dermal absorption:
• From dust to skin: A study using artificial skin models estimated that 3% of PBDEs adhered to skin from soil could be absorbed, making dermal exposure the second largest contributor to total body burden after dust ingestion.
Pickering Laboratories: setting the Gold Standard
Pickering Laboratories is the leading manufacturer of artificial biological fluids, including sweat, saliva, and urine, which have become invaluable for research into dermal absorption. Their complex formulations are designed to mimic human biologicals with exceptional accuracy, ensuring consistent and reliable results for in vitro dissolution testing. They are particularly useful for assessing the dissolution of chemicals from various materials including wearable technologies (electronics), jewellery, textiles, cosmetics, and medications in contact with human skin. These formulations are essential for creating reliable in vitro models that reflect in vivo skin conditions.
Pickering’s artificial sweat formulations address the challenges found in studies, where the composition and pH of sweat and sebum in artificial systems did not always align with human skin surface liquid films (SSLF).
By using an extensively researched SSLF model, Pickering Laboratories creates a more accurate representation of human sweat and sebum. This helps to ensure that dissolution testing conditions - such as the pH, temperature, and constituent concentrations - are biologically relevant.
Additionally, when using Pickering’s formulations, researchers can consider factors that influence test results, including SSLF temperature, agitation, and the material properties of both the test articles and containers. The accuracy of dissolution testing is optimised, making it easier to predict how chemicals interact with skin. The result is better risk assessment and subsequent protective measures for exposed individuals.
Key features of Pickering’s artificial sweat formulations include:- Precision composition: The formulations contain water, salts, urea, and an array of fatty acids that replicate the chemical environment of human sweat. Fatty acids play a crucial role in stimulating interactions with lipophilic chemicals such as PFAS.
- Consistency across studies: Unlike biological samples, which can vary between individuals and environments, artificial fluids provide a standardised medium for experiments, ensuring reproducibility.
- Application versatility: Pickering’s artificial biologicals are used not only in PFAS research but also in studies of personal care products, textiles, and medical devices, making them essential tools for understanding human exposure across a range of contexts.
skin contact. This approach is particularly useful for:- Understanding exposure pathways: Artificial sweat helps identify the extent to which PFAS are absorbed through treated fabrics, household dust, and personal care products.
- Simulating human conditions: Sweat composition varies with activity and environment. Pickering’s advanced formulations mimic these nuances, providing critical insights into factors affecting absorption.
- Evaluating product safety: By testing PFAS-treated materials under controlled conditions, scientists can assess their safety and guide product development toward safer alternatives.
A consistent response to a complex challenge
The use of artificial biological fluids that provide accurate, reproducible, and biologically relevant conditions is enabling researchers to unravel the complexities of PFAS exposure. As public concern about these persistent chemicals grows,
advances in artificial sweat formulations are helping scientists deliver critical insights—and solutions—for a safer future.
As a supplier of Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) from the world's leading Reference Material Producers (RMP’s), and Distribution Partner with Pickering Laboratories, ESSLAB are actively engaged with researchers and manufacturers providing a total solution to materials testing.
For more information, please contact ESSLAB by live chat, email, or phone
References
What you need to know about PFAS Analysis: PFAS Analysis – ESSLAB
EPA Methods: EPA Method 1600 – ESSLAB
PFAS CRM’s: PFAS Reference Materials | ESSLAB
Pickering Laboratories: Artificial Body Fluids – ESSLAB