The objective was to determine the percutaneous absorption of arsenic-73 as H3ASO4 from water and soil. Soil (Yolo County 65-California-57-8) was passed through 10-, 20-, and 48-mesh sieves. Soil retained by 80 mesh was mixed with radioactive arsenic-73 at a low (trace) level of 0.0004 microgram/cm2 (micrograms arsenic per square centimeter skin surface area) and a higher dose of 0.6 micrograms/cm2. Water solutions of arsenic-73 at a low (trace) level of 0.000024 micrograms/cm2 and a higher dose of 2.1 micrograms/cm2 were prepared for comparative analysis. In vivo in Rhesus monkey a total of 80.1 +/- 6.7% (SD) intravenous arsenic-73 dose was recovered in urine over 7 days; the majority of the dose was excreted in the first day. With topical administration for 24 hr, absorption of the low dose from water was 6.4 +/- 3.9% and 2.0 +/- 1.2% from the high dose. In vitro percutaneous absorption of the low dose from water with human skin resulted in 24-hr receptor fluid (phosphate-buffered saline) accumulation of 0.93 +/- 1.1% dose and skin concentration (after washing) of 0.98 +/- 0.96%. Combining receptor fluid accumulation and skin concentration gave a combined amount of 1.9%, a value less than that in vivo (6.4%) in the Rhesus monkey. From soil, receptor fluid accumulation was 0.43 +/- 0.54% and skin concentration was 0.33 +/- 0.25%. Combining receptor fluid plus skin concentrations gave an absorption value of 0.8%, an amount less than that with in vivo absorption (4.5%) in the Rhesus. These absorption values did not match current EPA default assumptions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)