pak-ex – The No. 1 Against Carcinogenic PAHs on the Skin

pak-ex is a special skin cleansing product for use after contamination with PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). PAHs are formed especially during incomplete combustion and can only be removed inadequately with conventional products. Effective cleansing with pak-ex prevents the absorption of PAHs through the skin and subsequent oral intake due to cross-contamination. pak-ex removes more than 96% of PAHs. The skin-friendly formulation is free of soaps, abrasives, and degreasing components so as not to impair the skin's barrier properties.

pak-ex was developed on the basis of special, skin-friendly cosmetic raw materials. The pak-ex formulation deliberately avoids substances known as 'penetration enhancers'. When working with hazardous substances, products containing degreasing substances (soaps, surfactants, solvents) should be avoided, as degreasing the skin can lead to increased absorption of hazardous substances. Clay minerals are naturally sourced minerals capable of binding many substances. pak-ex uses the clays kaolin and bentonite. Its particular skin compatibility was confirmed by the independent laboratory Dermatest® and rated 'very good'.

Beige, unscented, paste-like suspension

PAH stands for the chemical compounds "polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons".

PAHs are formed during combustion – they are found together with soot and fire smoke, but also, for example, in crude oil, tar products, and legacy contamination in the construction industry.

PAHs are carcinogenic and responsible for an increased risk of skin, laryngeal, and bladder cancer, among others. Because they are absorbed through the skin, they enter the body directly via skin contact. This absorption is further increased by heavy sweating or contact with soaps.

PAHs are not visible to the human eye. The danger they pose is therefore often underestimated.

Incorrect skin cleansing in particular carries the risk of PAHs remaining unnoticed on the skin.

Firefighters are among the occupational groups that come into contact with PAHs relatively often through their exposure to fire smoke and soot. Good incident hygiene is therefore essential.

However, many other occupational groups also deal with PAHs in their daily work. These include chimney sweeps, fire damage restorers, and employees in coking plants, thermal power stations, and foundries. In the construction industry, for example in track and road construction, contact with tar products – and thus PAHs – can also occur. If you belong to one of these occupational groups or are unsure whether you are affected, contact us directly!

pak-ex contains no soap or abrasives, which would attack the skin and make it more permeable to hazardous substances.

Instead, the skin cleansing gel consists mainly of natural clay minerals whose physico-chemical properties create an environment on the skin that attracts PAHs and soot like a magnet. They can then simply be washed off the skin.

No. pak-ex is used where there is contact with fire residues, fire smoke, tar, and crude oil. It replaces soap and other skin cleansers in the skin protection plan only in these areas. For hygiene purposes, the skin should still be cleaned/disinfected with soap or disinfectant after using the toilet and at the start of a shift. If pak-ex and soap are to be used together, pak-ex should always be applied before the soap to avoid washing hazardous substances into the skin.

A protective cream before work and/or a care cream after work can still be used regardless of the use of pak-ex.

Our skin protects us from external environmental influences. Factors such as sweat, very warm water, or skin injuries can already impair the skin's protective barrier and lead to increased absorption of hazardous substances. Scientific studies have also identified a number of substances that act as so-called 'penetration enhancers'. These are substances that particularly limit the natural skin barrier's ability to perform its protective function. In medicine, this principle is used, for example, to facilitate the absorption of active pharmaceutical ingredients through the skin. Many skin care products also contain penetration enhancers to keep the skin soft and smooth. When in contact with hazardous substances such as PAHs, the use of penetration enhancers is problematic and therefore not recommended. The right choice of skin cleansing products without penetration enhancers is crucial!

Soap impairs the skin barrier – many people know that. But what else? Since we are often asked, we have started compiling a list of scientifically documented penetration enhancers.

The list is not complete – but it is a start and is intended to help you make the right choice for skin cleansing after fire operations based on sound scientific evidence.

Alcohol denat [1], Aloe Barbadensis extract [10], Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride [8], Cetylpyridiniumchlorid [13], Chamomilla Recutita Extract [9], Citric Acid [6], Cocamidopropyl Betaine [4], Coco Glucoside [3], Disodium Cocoyl glutamate [7], Glycerin [1], Isopropyl Alcohol [1], Lactic Acid [5], Limonene [12], Linalol [12], PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil [2], Polysorbat 20 [14], Propylene Glycol [1], Sodium Cocyl Glutamate [7], Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (soap) [13], Vitamin E [11].

[1] Williams AC, Barry BW. Penetration enhancers. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, Volume 56, Issue 5, 2004, Pages 603-618.

[2] Burnett CL, Heldreth B, Bergfeld WF, et al. Safety Assessment of PEGylated Oils as Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology. 2014;33(4_suppl):13S-39S. doi:10.1177/1091581814546337

[3] ElMeshad, AN, Tadros MI. Transdermal Delivery of an Anti-Cancer Drug via W/O Emulsions Based on Alkyl Polyglycosides and Lecithin: Design, Characterization, and In Vivo Evaluation of the Possible Irritation Potential in Rats. AAPS PharmSciTech 12, 1–9 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12249-010-9557-y

[4] Pandey A, Mittal A, Chauhan N, Alam S (2014) Role of Surfactants as Penetration Enhancer in Transdermal Drug Delivery System. J Mol Pharm Org Process Res 2:113. doi: 10.4172/2329-9053.1000113

[5] Copoví A, Díez-Sales O, Herráez-Domínguez J.V., Herráez-Domínguez M. Enhancing effect of alpha-hydroxyacids on “in vitro” permeation across the human skin of compounds with different lipophilicity, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Volume 314, Issue 1, 2006, Pages 31-36, ISSN 0378-5173, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2006.01.033.

[6] Prasanthi D, Lakshmi PK, „Effect of Chemical Enhancers in Transdermal Permeation of Alfuzosin Hydrochloride“, International Scholarly Research Notices, vol. 2012, Article ID 965280, 8 pages, 2012. https://doi.org/10.5402/2012/965280

[7] Okasaka M, Kubota K, Yamasaki E, Yang J & Takata S (2019) Evaluation of anionic surfactants effects on the skin barrier function based on skin permeability, Pharmaceutical Development and Technology, 24:1, 99-104, DOI: 10.1080/10837450.2018.1425885

[8] Leopold CS, Lippold BC. An Attempt to Clarify the Mechanism of the Penetration Enhancing Effects of Lipophilic Vehicles with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Volume 47, Issue 4, April 1995, Pages 276–281, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-7158.1995.tb05795.x

[9] Johnson W, Boyer I, Bergfeld W, Belsito D, Hill R, Klaassen C, Liebler D, Marks Jr, Shank R, Slaga T, Snyder P, Gill L, Heldreth B (2018). Amended Safety Assessment of Chamomilla recutita -Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics. International Journal of Toxicology. 37. 51S-79S. 10.1177/1091581818801814.

[10] Cole L, Heard C. Skin permeation enhancement potential of Aloe Vera and a proposed mechanism of action based upon size exclusion and pull effect, International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Volume 333, Issues 1–2, 2007, Pages 10-16, ISSN 0378-5173, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2006.09.047.

[11] Jay S. Trivedi, Steven L. Krill, James J. Fort, Vitamin E as a human skin penetration enhancer, European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume 3, Issue 4, 1995, Pages 241-243, ISSN 0928-0987, https://doi.org/10.1016/0928-0987(95)00014-5.

[12] Chen J, Jiang Q-D, Chai Y-P, Zhang H, Peng P, Yang X-X. Natural Terpenes as Penetration Enhancers for Transdermal Drug Delivery. Molecules. 2016; 21(12):1709. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules21121709

[13] Som I, Bhatia K, M. Status of surfactants as penetration enhancers in transdermal drug delivery. J Pharm Bioall Sci 2012;4:2-9.

[14] Akhtar N, Rehman MU, Khan HMS, Rasool F, Saeed T, G Murtaza G. Penetration Enhancing Effect of Polysorbate 20 and 80 on the In Vitro Percutaneous Absorption of LAscorbic Acid. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research June 2011; 10 (3): 281-288