SEDL / STP / STP989-EB / STP26304S

Effects of Water Rinsing on Subsequent Permeation of Rubber Chemical-Protective Gloves

Nelson Schlatter, C
Chemist, Edmont, Division of Becton Dickinson & Co., Coshocton, OH

Pages: 10    Published: Jan 1988

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Abstract

The author investigated four solvents of varying volatility and water solubility in order to determine if workers can use gloves longer in chemical-resistant applications if they rinse their gloves periodically. The solvents were tested against glove materials selected to give moderate resistance to permeation, on the assumption that these would be most sensitive to changes in the way that gloves are handled. The results of the test were unexpected: water washing improved performance of the glove only for the solvent DMF. The author's conclusion is that water rinsing can help protect workers only when the solvent in use is toxic on skin contact, very water soluble, and not very volatile; it must also permeate relatively slowly.