Abstract
Background: Dermal exposure to drilling fluids is common during oil and gas operations and is associated with irritant and allergic contact dermatitis, barrier disruption, and potential uptake of hazardous constituents. The expanding use of engineered nanomaterials in drilling fluids improves drilling performance but introduces new questions about dermal safety, particularly under repeated exposure or compromised skin conditions. Objective: This mini-review summarizes recent (last 5 years) nanomedicine and nano-bioengineering approaches used to evaluate and mitigate drilling fluid-associated skin toxicity. Methods: We synthesize evidence on mechanistic toxicity pathways (barrier disruption, inflammation, and oxidative stress), human-relevant test systems, and nano-enabled preventive and therapeutic strategies relevant to occupational exposure. Results: Nano-bioengineered evaluation platforms – especially three-dimensional reconstructed human skin and skin-on-a-chip microfluidic systems – enable mixture testing, permeability assessment, and quantification of inflammatory biomarkers in controlled, physiologically relevant settings. Wearable and minimally invasive biosensors, including graphene field-effect transistor and microneedle-based platforms, show promise for early detection of cytokine signatures associated with irritant responses. Mitigation strategies include nano-enabled barrier formulations that sequester or catalytically neutralize hazardous chemicals and reduce skin permeation, nano-enhanced textiles and surface coatings that limit transfer and promote self-decontamination, and “safer-by-design” drilling fluids incorporating biocompatible nano-additives and greener chemistries. For postexposure management, nanocarriers and nanoengineered wound dressings can enhance topical anti-inflammatory delivery and support healing while controlling microbial contamination. Conclusion: Integrating nano-enabled testing with prevention and treatment strategies provides a rational pathway toward reducing occupational skin injury from drilling fluids. Future work should prioritize standardized dermal testing workflows, long-term repeated-exposure studies, and translation of nano-protective solutions into field-ready personal protective equipment and formulations.