There is little general understanding that the skin is the largest organ of the body. If vapour is absorbed directly into tissue through the large area of skin surface then the amount of toxic material entering the body through the skin can easily exceed the amount being absorbed through the lungs. In general terms most solvents will extract from skin the natural fats and oils that make the skin flexible. This makes the skin more prone to damage and cracking. The 1997 International Agency for Research on Cancer report on silica as a carcinogen had considerable effect on the use and market for inerts.
Sensitisation is irreversible.
At this time medicine has no treatment for victims who have become sensitised and there are no known parameters for predicting a person's susceptibility to sensitisation. The severe reactions shown to food with MSG is a true chemical sensitisation. Two types of coatings can cause sensitisation responses Probably the most serious problems are with isocyanate hardeners in polyurethane coatings. This is nearly always respiratory sensitisation. Where isocyanate hardeners are used it is important to be alert to the first signs of sensitisation and to then act.