Of the 3 common portals of entry of toxic substances into the body, i.e., ingestion, inhalation and passage into or through the skin, disproportionately less is known about skin sorption. Entry of various industrially used substances into the body by way of the skin is influenced by a number of factors, such as hyperemia, the application of friction, perspiration, dry-ness of the skin, age of the workers, etc. The mechanism of skin sorption probably varies for different substances, some entering by osmosis, others by adsorption, absorption, etc. A list of approximately 60 substances is included, all of which are believed to be susceptible to body entry by way of the skin. The author concludes that a number of practical hazards exist for industrial intoxication following sorption of injurious agents through the skin.