The effect of daily topical application on the in vivo percutaneous absorption of benzoic acid, parathion and salicylic acid in rhesus monkeys has been investigated. The study was designed to test further the hypothesis that topical bioavailability, or body burden, of a chemical following chronic exposure may be accurately predicted from the result of a single acute-dose experiment. No significant change in percutaneous absorption from that following the initial dose was observed following the eighth daily dose of a 14-day multidose regimen for each of the three penetrants considered. The results are consistent with those of recent experiments in humans with malathion and steroids, but not entirely consistent with the results of other animal studies.