Skin exposure to the rubber accelerator diphenylguanidine in medical gloves-An experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Dermatitis caused by occupational contact allergy to rubber additives such as diphenylguanidine (DPG) in medical gloves is a hazard for healthcare workers. Both the duration of exposure to medical gloves and the number of gloves used per day vary. The use of alcoholic skin disinfectants before glove donning is mandatory.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether skin exposure to the rubber accelerator DPG released from glove material is influenced by alcoholic hand disinfectants, time, and pH.

METHODS: With the use of ethanol washes, the amount of DPG left on the hands after wearing of gloves for 60 minutes was measured, and comparisons between hands exposed and not exposed to alcoholic disinfectant before glove donning were made. With the use of artificial sweat buffered at pH 4, 5, and 6, DPG release from the insides of gloves at different times was measured.

RESULTS: The use of alcoholic disinfectant prior to polyisoprene glove donning increased the amount of DPG recovered from the hands. Of the DPG released from polyisoprene gloves into artificial sweat, almost 84% was released within 10 minutes. pH did not influence the rate of release.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of alcoholic disinfectant increased skin exposure to the rubber accelerator DPG. Even a short duration of use of gloves results in substantial exposure to DPG.