Lab+Life Scientist Jun 2015

Page 46

PPE

rubber latex glove. As the donning powder on NRL powdered gloves is a possible carrier of allergenic NRL proteins which may become airborne and inhaled, co-workers practising in the same environment as someone allergic to NRL should wear either a synthetic glove or a powder-free NRL glove. Synthetic material options

Polyisoprene: Most similar performance to natural rubber latex with a high level of comfort, excellent elasticity and moderate strength. Neoprene: Characteristic performance falls between polyisoprene and nitrile with a good balance of comfort, strength and elasticity. Nitrile: Higher strength, durability and puncture resistance than natural rubber latex but does sacrifice some elasticity.

Type IV Contact Dermatitis solutions For individuals who are experiencing a Type IV

This is typically done by conducting two skin

have extremely sensitive skin. These products

reaction product recommendations are a little more

irritation tests, one long term and one short term,

are produced without the use of the chemical

complex as you will first need to identify and then

on the finished glove product. In fact, current

accelerators listed above or any other chemical

eliminate the causative chemical agent. Since there

regulations in most geographic regions require

accelerators. Proper vulcanisation without the

are several classes of chemicals that tend to cause

this of medical grade gloves.

use of any chemical accelerators is done through a

adverse skin reactions a better understanding of

In the United States for example, the Food

proprietary process that strengthens the material

what chemicals are used and why they are required

and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that all

without using chemical accelerators. This process

is needed.

medical grade gloves pass both the skin irritation

results in a cleaner, more skin-friendly product

test and the skin sensitisation test prior to being

and provides the best possible solution when

Are accelerators necessary?

marketed in the US. These battery of tests ensure

you need the barrier protection of a glove and

In order to manufacture a glove from a rubber

that the vast majority of glove users will not

healthy skin for your sensitive hands.

material effectively, some type of chemical

experience any sort of irritating response from

accelerator is generally used. Accelerators are used

the glove itself.

For those wearers with Type I or Type IV allergies, Ansell has a wide variety of options

to chemically speed up the vulcanisation process

Other regions such as the European Union

in the synthetic category and several different

during the manufacturing of natural and synthetic

under the Medical Device Directive (93/42/EEC)

synthetic materials to choose from including

latex gloves.

require similar types of testing and product

nitrile, neoprene and polyisoprene. These

assessment before those products can be placed

materials vary in performance characteristics

on the market.

as well as cost. features for specific applications which should

molecules rendering a solid film with desired strength

Product quality affects the potential for reactions

and elastic properties dependent upon the design

When it comes to allergic contact dermatitis

And for those wearers with Type IV allergies

features and material type.

caused by chemicals used in disposable gloves,

or sensitivities, Ansell has products that are

Vulcanisation is one step in the process by which crude latex is transformed into a finished product. This is normally accomplished by subjecting the crude latex to heat and sulfur to crosslink the rubber

Products may also have special design factor in to any glove decision.

These chemical accelerators speed the

the manufacturing process and how well a glove

produced without the use of any chemical

vulcanisation process by reducing the temperature

is produced can significantly reduce the potential

accelerators.

at which vulcanisation occurs producing a much

for reactions. On a well manufactured glove

The TouchNTuff 73-500, TouchNTuff

more consistent and reliable film from which the

product residual chemicals are leached out of

73-701 as well as Microflex Sensation are several

final gloves are formed.

the glove prior to packaging. For products that

Ansell gloves that are perfect solutions for anyone

Examples of accelerator classes commonly

are poorly manufactured this leaching process is

who has extremely sensitive skin or who is having

used in glove manufacturing are thiurams,

not always as effective as it should be and as such

trouble finding a glove that is the least irritating

mercaptobenzothiazols (MBT) and carbamates.

the potential for an increased number of people

to their skin. Not only have these products been

Of these classes of accelerators the least likely to

experiencing a skin reaction exists.

specifically engineered to solve this particular

produce a skin reaction are carbamates.

problem it’s been proven scientifically to be

Can a glove be made without accelerators?

less likely to cause the types of reactions listed

Are accelerators safe? For personal protective gloves, manufacturers

The short answer is yes! Ansell provides products

Ansell Healthcare

are required to ensure the product is safe for use.

that are specifically engineered for users who may

www.ansell.com.au

46 | LAB+LIFE SCIENTIST - June 2015

in this article.

www.LabOnline.com.au | www.LifeScientist.com.au


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