Survey of sulfur‐containing rubber accelerator levels in latex and nitrile exam gloves

Abstract

2-Mercaptobenzothiazole and zinc dialkyldithiocarbamates are commonly used sulfur-containing rubber vulcanization accelerators known to cause allergic contact dermatitis. Exposure to these agents occurs through clothing such as undergarments and shoes, latex medical devices and latex and nitrile gloves. A simple, inexpensive screening method for total sulfur accelerator and a high performance liquid chromatographic speciation method were developed in the present study. These methods were applied to screen and quantify the sulfur accelerator content from 38 brands of 'off-the-shelf' latex and nitrile gloves obtained from commercial vendors. It was found that accelerator levels ranged from not detectable to 7.35 mg/g in the gloves analysed. Brands were found to contain single and multiple accelerator species within the glove. Powdered gloves had significantly higher accelerator levels than powder-free gloves from the same manufacturer; however, these chemical accelerators do not preferentially partition to the powder. The present analytical methodology is suitable for both manufacturing quality validation purposes, as well as for accelerator allergy research.

Patterns of simultaneous patch test reactions to thiurams and dithiocarbamates in 164 patients

“…This is in accordance with a previous IVDK study . However, ZDBC is quite commonly present in rubber gloves . The rarity of allergic reactions is possibly attributable to its relatively weak sensitizing capacity: ZDBC was a much weaker sensitizer in a modified local lymph node assay than, for example, ZDEC or ZDMC .…”

“…In the 1990s, the use of dithiocarbamates instead of thiurams in the manufacture of rubber gloves was recommended . Today, dithiocarbamates are the predominant accelerators in these products . Some decline in the frequency of allergic reactions to thiurams has been seen in Denmark and the United Kingdom , but no change was seen in a large Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) study , in which the patterns of reactions to various rubber chemicals also remained unchanged.…”

“…predominant accelerators in these products (3)(4)(5)(6). Some decline in the frequency of allergic reactions to thiurams has been seen in Denmark and the United Kingdom(2, 7), but no change was seen in a large Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) study (8), in which the patterns of reactions to various rubber chemicals also remained unchanged.…”

Reprotoxicity of intrauterine insemination and in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer disposables and products: a 4-year survey

“…Nitrile gloves are made from a synthetic polymer (acrylonitrile, butadiene, and carboxylic acids) and zinc oxide, sulfur, and process accelerators, exhibiting rubber-like characteristics when vulcanized. Release of sulfur and zinc oxide or the highly toxic cyanide ion is possible (36). Latex gloves are made from natural or synthetic rubber.…”

“…Natural latex, as found in nature, is a complex emulsion in which proteins, alkaloids, starches, sugars, oils, resins, and gums are found, unfortunately with a clear variance in the physical properties per lot (37). Synthetic latex gloves (polyisoprene) are made by polymerizing isoprene that has been emulsified with surfactants and stabilized by antioxidants (36,38,39). Silicone (polymerized siloxanes) are mixed inorganic and organic polymers.…”