Hanjiang Zhu - Skin Decontamination: A Comprehensive Clinical Research Guide

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To general toxicologist and those involved in skin, hair and nail decontamination of chemical warfare and chemicals of mass destruction. The birth of this field occurred in Belgium a century ago, when both government contenders utilized chemicals which produced marked lethality and/or incapacitation.

This led to many countries being involved in research in the field of chemical decontamination mainly aimed at chemicals of mass destruction. Much of the experimental data remains buried in governmental archives such as the United States and the United Kingdom, and some remains classified until now.

Today there is wide acceptance, by many governments, of various Fullers earth formulations (such as France) and the so-called RSDL the United States. Combined with these highly specialized formulations, with deep research background, is another major approach to mass decontamination the water wash approach. In addition, worldwide, material safety data sheets (MSDS) recommend water wash for acute skin decontamination. Recent data suggests that water wash may, at various time points, increase skin penetration and the potential for increasing acute general toxicity from highly toxic chemicals.

What appears to be a major paradigm shift is the apparent need to decontaminate millions of people from chemicals of nonacute lethality such as the workers in the chemical industry who are exposed typically 5 days weekly for decades to chemicals whose systemic toxicity (reproduction, carcinogenicity, and/or other internal organ toxicity) is often inadequately understood. This paradigm shift will require major new approaches to daily skin decontamination not only for the acute event but for lifeline work, lifelong skin exposures. In addition, recently the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has suggested that maybe we have inadequate information on the chronic toxicity related to percutaneous penetration of sunscreens in man. Hence, even the cosmetic chemical ingredient domain may require a neo-evaluation of their long-term exposure and what can be done in daily skin decontamination.

The editors wish to thank Ms. Gina Kahn for her indispensable support and assistance throughout the book production.

The editors welcome your corrections and suggestions, which will be for the next edition.