Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
5-31-2022
Degree Name
Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Engineering - (M.S.)
Department
Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering
First Advisor
Laurent Simon
Second Advisor
Roman S. Voronov
Third Advisor
S. Basuray
Fourth Advisor
Piero M. Armenante
Abstract
Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) are substances of varying toxicity profiles. These chemicals exhibit complex dynamics and pose a serious health risk when released into the environment. A mathematical model based on Fick’s second law of diffusion was developed to comprehend how these compounds were absorbed into the skin. The analysis applied to both small and large doses and, successfully, predicted experimental results. This work also includes the effects of CWA physicochemical properties on evaporation and dermal absorption through the stratum corneum. A sensitivity analysis was conducted to assess the impacts of small variations in the initial dose, environmental conditions, and key model parameters (e.g., diffusion coefficient) on the permeation kinetics. In addition, a concept-based assessment about the roles of skin metabolism and binding is also presented. Our results show that the diffusion coefficient, the ratio of the steady-state evaporation rate to the steady-state absorption rate, and the initial dose impact the cumulative amount of permeant absorbed or evaporated.
Recommended Citation
Lear, Koko, "A detailed parameter study into the dermal absorption of chemical warfare agents and the effects of pharmacokinetics" (2022). Theses. 1998.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/1998
