Exposure to solar UV radiation is a risk factor for cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). Epidemiologic studies have also considered the use of sunlamps as a possible contributor to CMM. We measured and analyzed the emission spectra of six different currently marketed sunlamps and a historical sunlamp, the UVB-emitting FS lamp, and compared the results to solar exposure. For a typical tanner (20 sessions @ 2 minimal erythema doses (MED)/session), the annual UVA doses from commonly used fluorescent sunlamps were 0.3-1.2 times that received from the sun. For a frequent tanner (100 sessions @ 4 MED/session), the annual UVA doses from fluorescent sunlamps were 1.2-4.7 times that received from the sun and 12 times for recently available, high-pressure sunlamps. To determine biologically effective doses, action spectra for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in humans and for melanoma in the Xiphophorus fish (XFM) were applied to the sunlamps' emission spectra. The results for the effective doses using the SCC action spectrum tracked the UVB doses, while the results using the XFM action spectrum tracked the UVA doses. When combined with UV exposure received from the sun, typical sunlamp use results in an approximate doubling of annual effective dose, if the XFM action spectrum is applied. Frequent use, however, can increase the annual effective XFM dose by as much as 6 times what would be received from the sun alone for fluorescent sunlamps and as much as 12 times for newer, high-pressure sunlamps.

No abstract

Few condoms allowed any virus penetration. The median amount of penetration for latex condoms when extrapolated to expected actual use conditions was 1 x 10(-5) ml (volume of semen). Thus, even for the few condoms that do allow virus penetration, the typical level of exposure to semen would be several orders of magnitude lower than for no condom at all.

A total of 480 examination gloves (240 vinyl and 240 latex) were stressed by using manipulations designed to mimic patient care. At the highest use level, 38 (63%) of 60 vinyl gloves leaked bacteriophage 4X174 compared with 4 (7%) of 60 latex gloves. At lower use levels, there was no statistically significant difference in leakage.

The relative importance of breaks and holes is related to the volume of semen that contains an "infectious dose" of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). When 0.1 mL to 1.0 mL exposures to semen are necessary for disease transmission, the risk during latex condom use primarily results not from holes, but from breakage of condoms. For smaller volumes of semen exposure (0.00001 mL and less), the presence of holes can be as important as breaks. The same qualitative argument pertains to a comparison of "leaker" condoms to the large majority of "intact" condoms.

This study evaluated bacteriophages 1)X174, T7, PRD1, and 4)6 as possible surrogates for pathogenic human viruses to challenge barrier materials and demonstrated some important factors for their use. Chemical incompatibility with test material was demonstrated when lipid-enveloped 1)6 was inactivated by an aqueous eluate of vinyl gloves, but 0.5% calf serum protected (D6 from the eluate. Low concentrations (2%) of calf serum also prevented the exaggerated binding of the bacteriophages to filters. Recovery of viruses from surfaces decreased with increasing time before recovery. Penetration through punctures displayed different types of kinetics. The combined data indicate that (i) some bacteriophages may serve as surrogate viruses, (ii) experimental conditions determine whether a particular virus is appropriate as a challenge, and (iii) 1)X174 is an excellent choice as a surrogate virus to test barrier materials. The data further indicate that before barrier materials are challenged with viruses, adequate tests should be performed to ensure that the virus is compatible with the test material and test conditions, so that meaningful data will result.

No abstract

Does the 1000 mL water leak test for medical gloves detect potential for virus penetration? Water leak and virus penetration were determined sequentially in hanging latex surgical gloves (4 brands) with 1000 ml of ΦX174-containing buffered saline (DPBS). Individual fingers (some punctured) were visually examined for water (DPBS) leaks for 2 minutes, then dipped into DPBS for 60 minutes for collection of virus that penetrated the latex barrier. Many punctured and a few non-punctured fingers leaked both water and virus. Some punctured fingers did not leak water nor virus. A few of the control and punctured fingers that did not leak water did allow very low-level virus penetration by 1 hour; 4–50 fold lower than virus penetration from barely-detectable water leaks. Thus, a few gloves with potential for very low-level virus penetration were not detected by the 1000 mL water leak test.