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PubMed2001

A novel method of assessing the effectiveness of protective gloves--results from a pilot study.

We have devised a novel method for evaluating the effectiveness of protective gloves and have undertaken a small study to assess this approach. Three types of glove were tested in a standardised simulation test with a permethrin-based pesticide. Prewashed cotton gloves were used to collect the samples. One was worn over the protective glove on one hand to measure the potential deposition of pesticide on the hands had the gloves not been worn. A second was placed under the protective glove on the opposite hand to measure the actual deposition of permethrin on the hands when the gloves were worn. This regime was reversed half way through each test in an attempt to prevent bias. Measurable inner glove contamination occurred on 25 out of 30 occasions. Geometric mean protection factors were calculated from the ratio of outer and inner sampling glove contamination, with average protection factors of 470, 200 and 96 being obtained for the two nitrile and PVC gloves, respectively. The PVC gloves were the least effective in preventing inner glove contamination, probably because the glove was thick and fairly inflexible, causing more pesticide to enter the glove around the cuff. Although the tasks were standardised, variability occurred due to worker behaviour and equipment failure. The spray pump failed on five occasions, resulting in higher levels of inner glove contamination and a geometric mean protection factor of 32. On the occasions when the pump worked correctly, the level of protection provided by the gloves rose dramatically with mean protection factors of 220 and 450 being obtained for workers categorised as "messy" and "tidy", respectively.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1992

[Perforation of surgical gloves in gynecologic operations and abdominal Cesarean section].

The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of glove perforation during gynaecological operations and Caesarean section, and to assess the value of double gloving. For this purpose the surgical gloves used in 415 procedures were tested for perforations by the water leak test. For laparotomy and breast surgery, two pairs of gloves (brand A) were worn; for vaginal and other surgery, only a single pair of thicker gloves (brand B) was used. As controls, 75 pairs of unused gloves of each brand were tested. This revealed 6 (4%) perforations in brand A gloves and 2 (1.3%) perforations in brand B gloves. Most perforations (20-40%) occurred during hysterectomy, Caesarean section, and other types of laparotomy. The gloves worn by the scrub nurse or technician were most often perforated (43.5% after vaginal hysterectomy), followed by the surgeon's gloves (29% after laparotomy). Perforations were most often located at the tip of the index finger (16.8%) and thumb (16.2%) of the nondominant hand. If two pairs of gloves were worn, and perforation occurred, only 26.7% had perforations at identical sites on the outer and inner gloves. Consequently, since three quarters of the perforations were limited to the outer glove, double gloving reduced the risk of exposure to blood by a factor of 4. The results of this study support the recommendation that two pairs of gloves be worn, at least during major surgical procedures and Caesarean section. Furthermore, the alternative operative techniques and methods of handling surgical instruments proposed for reducing the incidence of glove perforation should be tested.

Cesarean Section↗

PubMed2002

Performance of latex and nonlatex medical examination gloves during simulated use.

BACKGROUND: In response to the rise in latex allergies, gloves made from a variety of nonlatex materials have been introduced into the health care environment. To date, at least 1 study, by Rego and Roley (1999), has reported that both latex and nitrile medical examination gloves provide comparable barrier protective qualities. The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of glove stress, type of material (vinyl, nitrile, copolymer, latex), and manufacturer on the barrier effectiveness of medical examination gloves. METHOD: A total of 5510 medical examination gloves (1464 nitrile, 1052 latex, 1006 copolymer, and 1988 vinyl) were divided into 2 groups: stressed and unstressed. Unstressed gloves were visually inspected and water-tested according to the Food and Drug Administration water-testing standards. Stressed gloves were manipulated according to a designated stress protocol, visually inspected, and then subjected to the same Food and Drug Administration water-testing standards. RESULTS: Our limited sample size demonstrated that nitrile gloves had the lowest failure rate (1.3%), followed by latex (2.2%); vinyl and copolymer gloves had the highest failure rate (both 8.2%). With use of a logistic regression analysis adjusting for manufacturer and stress, latex examination gloves were found to be 3 times more likely to fail than nitrile gloves (odds ratio, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.37-7.50). Nitrile gloves were also found to fail significantly less often than vinyl or copolymer gloves (odds ratio, 12.60; 95% CI, 5.80-27.40). CONCLUSIONS: Nitrile examination gloves are a suitable alternative to latex, whereas vinyl and copolymer examination gloves were found to be less effective barriers. Further research is indicated to determine whether nitrile gloves can provide effective barrier qualities during clinical use versus laboratory simulations.

Equipment Failure↗

PubMed2005

Comparing the level of dexterity offered by latex and nitrile SafeSkin gloves.

An increase in the occurrence of latex allergy has been concurrent with the increasing use of latex gloves by laboratory and healthcare workers. In recent years nitrile gloves have been used to replace latex gloves to prevent latex allergy. Nitrile gloves offer a comparable level of protection against chemical and biological agents and are more puncture resistant. However, if manual dexterity is compromised by nitrile gloves to a greater degree than latex then this may increase the risk of sharps injuries. The Purdue pegboard test, which measures both gross and fine finger dexterity, was used to test the dexterity levels of two glove types used at HPA CEPR; Kimberly-Clark SafeSkin nitrile and latex laboratory gloves. There was a statistically significant 8.6% increase in fine finger dexterity provided by latex compared with nitrile SafeSkin laboratory gloves but no difference in gross dexterity between the glove types. There was no significant relationship between glove dexterity and age or gender. The selection of glove size was influenced by the digit length of participants. Moreover, those with longer, thinner fingers appeared to have an advantage when using nitrile SafeSkin gloves. The level of dexterity provided by latex and nitrile SafeSkin gloves for tasks on a gross dexterity level are comparable and health workers will benefit from the non-allergenic properties of nitrile. For tasks requiring fine finger dexterity nitrile SafeSkin gloves may impede dexterity. Despite this, the degree of restriction appears to have a negligible impact on safety in this study when compared with the risk of latex sensitization and subsequent allergy. In addition to glove material, working practices must also take into account glove size, fit, grip and thickness, as these factors can all influence dexterity.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Prospective study of glove perforation in obstetrical and gynecological operations: are we safe enough?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the glove perforation rate, efficacy of double gloving, effect of duration of surgery, expertise of surgeon and operative urgency on the glove perforation rate in obstetrical and gynecologic operations. METHODS: From February to September 2002, double glove protocol was made necessary for all major obstetrical and gynecologic procedures. The operating surgeon, first and second assistant were included in the study. Gloves damage was noted (overt by inspection, occult by hydroinsufflation technique). RESULTS: Of the 156 procedures included in study, 32 procedures were performed (all emergency operations) single-gloved because surgeons found double gloving clumsy (56%), made it difficult to tie knots due to lack of dexterity (24%), or were too tight (20%). One thousand one hundred and twenty single gloves were examined after each procedure by hydroinsufflation. The overall perforation rate was 13.6% (single versus double outer gloves, 13.8% versus l3.2%, P > 0.05). Matching perforations were found in six cases (4.6%). Thus, the protection offered by double gloves was 95.4% even if the outer gloves were perforated. Four inner gloves had preexisting perforations. Sixty unused gloves checked similarly revealed a perforation rate of 1.6%. Emergency cases had higher perforation rate compared to elective surgeries (16.6% versus 10.8%, P < 0.00 1). Surgeries lasting for more than 40 min had a higher perforation rate compared to those finished in less than or equal to 40 min (18.6% versus 7.6%, P < 0.001). The middle finger of the left hand was the most commonly involved. The surgeon, first assistant and second assistant were involved in 73.6, 23.3 and 3.2% cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Double gloving offers considerable protection against exposure to contaminants in the blood and body fluids of the patient and should be made routine, especially in developing countries where HIV, hepatitis B and C are widely prevalent. Double gloving should be made mandatory in emergency procedures, which have a higher perforation rate due to operative urgency, and gloves should be changed in operations lasting for more than 40 min to ensure integrity of barrier.

Equipment Failure↗

PubMed1996

Effect of glove occlusion on human skin (II). Long-term experimental exposure.

Gloves are indispensable in many occupations. Irritant skin reactions from gloves have, however, been reported. In the present study, the effect of long-term glove occlusion on normal skin (6 h/day for 14 days) was studied and, in addition, the effect of a cotton glove worn under the occlusive glove was also studied. 2 studies were performed (studies A and B). Study A: 19 volunteers wore an occlusive glove on normal skin 6 h/day for 14 days. They wore the glove on one hand only, while the other hand served as control. Study B: 18 volunteers wore occlusive gloves on both hands on normal skin. A cotton glove was worn under the occlusive glove on either the left or the right hand. Skin barrier function was evaluated by measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL) (Evaporimeter), skin hydration by electrical capacitance (Corneometer) and inflammation by erythema index (Derma-Spectrometer). The gloves used were hypoallergenic non-latex gloves. Results. Study A: glove occlusive on normal skin 6 h/day for 14 days had a significant negative effect on skin barrier function, as measured by TEWL. Study B: the negative effect on skin barrier function from occlusive gloves was prevented by the use of a cotton glove. It is concluded that gloves may be a substantial factor in the pathogenesis of cumulative irritant contact dermatitis, and that recommendations as to their use are important.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Occult glove perforations: frequency during interventional radiologic procedures.

Because the intact surgical glove is an important barrier against exposure to blood and other body fluids, occult glove perforations occurring during procedures may have implications for infection control and protection of health care workers. Although the frequency of occult glove perforations during surgery has been studied, no such data have been reported for interventional radiology. This study was designed to determine the frequency of occult glove perforations in interventional radiology. Gloves used during interventional radiologic procedures were collected and tested for occult perforations according to previously accepted methods. The frequency of occult defects in unused gloves was also determined. A form completed for each pair of gloves indicated length of use, awareness of perforations, and information about the procedure. The anatomic distribution of perforations was also studied. Occult perforations were found in 49 (10%) of 492 used gloves. The frequency of defects in unused gloves was 1% (2/160). Gloves worn fewer than 2 hr had a perforation rate of 7% (29/406), and those worn 2 hr or longer had a rate of 23% (20/86; p less than .0001). Perforations were noticed by the wearer in only three (6%) of the 49 perforations. The perforation rate for inner gloves of a double-glove set was 3% (1/34; the corresponding outer glove also was perforated). Although the 10% rate of occult glove perforation during interventional radiologic procedures found in this series is lower than rates described with surgical procedures, it is not insignificant. The significant increase in the rate of perforation when gloves are worn more than 2 hr suggests that gloves should routinely be changed at or before 2 hr of wear, particularly in procedures involving high-risk patients.

Equipment Failure↗

PubMed2001

Potential exposure of hands inside protective gloves-a summary of data from non-agricultural pesticide surveys.

The results of individual surveys are compared and general observations are made about the protective nature of protective gloves. A total of 190 measurements of contamination by involatile components of pesticide products were made inside the gloves. Protective gloves were nearly always found to be contaminated inside, except for public hygiene insecticide uses. Disposable gloves were sometimes used when applying public hygiene insecticides, while gloves worn for other applications were normally re-used. The data suggest that when expressing inner glove exposure as 'amount of product per unit time', the data distributions of the non-zero results appeared similar for all activities except for the application of antifoulings. A median value for all non-zero data was indicated at 1.36mg product per minute; a 75th percentile at 4.21mg min(-1) and a 95th percentile at 71.9mg min(-1), assuming product densities of 1.0g ml(-1). In default of better information, these indicators can be used in health-based risk assessment. A further 47 data related to exposure inside new gloves, and 21 data to deposition on outer gloves. These indicate that in general, gloves provide a reasonable degree of protection to non-agricultural pesticides. Due regard should be paid to 'human factors' when considering contamination inside gloves. When people take off dirty gloves, it is difficult to avoid touching the glove exterior. With gloves off, the subject can touch contaminated surfaces. Donning dirty gloves furnishes an inevitable contact with contamination on the outside of the gloves, and can introduce that contamination inside. A common mode of contamination could contribute to the similar distributions for hand contamination inside gloves, from very different uses.

Data Collection↗

PubMed1990

Efficacy of double versus single gloving in protecting the operating team.

Double-glove perforation rates and perforation rates in standard single-gloved operating teams were compared, in order to determine whether double gloving provides additional protection for the operating team. Patients were randomized to undergo surgery with a double-gloved or single-gloved operating team. All gloves worn during the operation were tested for perforations by water-filling and individual digital distension; 115 single-gloved operations and 103 double-gloved operations were performed. There were 841 individual operating team members 'at risk'. In the single-glove group, 20.8% of individuals had perforations, but only 2.5% had perforations in both inner and outer gloves (dual perforation) in the double-glove group (P less than 0.0001). The surgeon was most at risk of glove perforation (34.7% of cases in the single-glove group, 3.8% dual perforation in the double-glove group). Longer operations were associated with increased risk of glove perforation. Double-gloving significantly reduces the risk of skin contamination by blood and body fluids and is recommended for all high risk cases.

General Surgery↗

PubMed1993

Examination gloves as barriers to hand contamination in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of vinyl and latex gloves as barriers to hand contamination with gram-negative organisms and enterococci during routine hospital procedures. DESIGN AND INTERVENTIONS: We studied 137 procedures during which a health care worker's gloved hand contacted a patient's mucous membrane and was thus potentially contaminated with gram-negative rods or enterococci. Quantitative hand cultures were obtained from each health care worker before and after the gloved contact using a modified glove juice method, and the exterior glove surface was also quantitatively cultured after patient contact. Used gloves were then tested for leaks using the American Society for Testing and Materials' watertight test. SETTING: Harborview Medical Center, a 330-bed city-county hospital and level I regional trauma and burn center, is both a teaching facility affiliated with the University of Washington and the major provider of care to indigent and uninsured persons in Seattle-King County, Washington. PATIENTS AND OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Respiratory therapists performing endotracheal tube care on intubated intensive care unit patients, registered nurses performing digital rectal stimulation for bowel training on patients with spinal cord injury in the rehabilitation ward, and dentists performing routine dental examinations and procedures on healthy outpatients in the dental clinic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE AND RESULTS: Eighty-six of the 135 gloves cultured had gram-negative rods or enterococci on the external surface after use and were thus sources of potential hand contamination. Microbial contamination of the health care worker's hands occurred in 11 (13%; 95% confidence interval, 6% to 20%) of these 86 events, and was more frequent with vinyl (10 of 42) than latex (one of 44) gloves (P < .01). After use, glove leaks were also more frequent in vinyl gloves (26 of 61) than with latex gloves (six of 70) (P < .001). Even when leaks were present, gloves prevented hand contamination in 77% of instances and quantitative counts of microorganisms contaminating hands were 2 to 4 logs less than counts on external glove surfaces. Health care workers reported awareness of the presence of glove leaks in only seven (22%) of the 32 events in which leaks were subsequently demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: Under conditions of routine use, gloves effectively function as a protective barrier even when leaks are present. Latex gloves were less frequently associated with leaks and hand contamination. Since hand contamination occurred after 13% of exposures and cannot be readily identified by health care workers, routine hand washing should be done after each patient contact.

Enterococcus↗

PubMed1990

Self protection in surgery: the use of double gloves.

This study assesses the perforation rate of single and double gloves and thus the extent to which double gloving protects the surgeon from diseases transmissible from the patient. We have also investigated whether double gloving offers the patient extra protection by reducing wound sepsis. Two hundred adult hernia repairs were performed, the first 100 single gloved and the second 100 double gloved. Glove perforation rates were not significantly different between single gloves and the outer of the double gloves. Although 46 of 400 outer gloves were perforated there were only 15 inner glove perforations and only eight of these matched the outer perforations. The percentage of operations in which the latex protective barrier was breached was reduced from 31 per cent when the surgeon wore single gloves to 8 per cent with double gloves. Wound sepsis was not increased by glove perforation nor reduced by double gloving. While careful technique remains mandatory we conclude that double gloving offers increased protection to the surgeon operating on high risk infectious cases.

General Surgery↗

PubMed2004

Failure rates in nonlatex surgical gloves.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of glove defects for nonlatex surgical gloves while surgeons performed routine surgery and to evaluate surgeons' satisfaction with nonlatex sterile gloves. METHODS: Two brands of latex gloves and 6 brands of nonlatex gloves were tested. Gloves were collected at the end of each surgical procedure and tested for visual defects and barrier integrity using an automated calibrated water test machine consistent with FDA's recommended standards. A total of 6386 gloves used by 101 surgeons and 164 residents representing 15 surgical services were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Higher after-use defect rates occurred in nonlatex surgical gloves than in latex gloves. Higher times of use were related to higher defect rates for some surgical specialties, and both surgeons and residents were less satisfied with nonlatex surgical gloves. CONCLUSION: Intact latex and nonlatex surgical gloves provide adequate barrier protection. Nonlatex surgical gloves have higher failure rates and lower user satisfaction than latex gloves do. Both nonlatex and latex gloves should be changed after 2 to 3 hours of use because the barrier of either type of glove becomes compromised with extended use.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2006

Efficiency of electrolyzed oxidizing water on reducing Listeria monocytogenes contamination on seafood processing gloves.

Food processing gloves are typically used to prevent cross-contamination during food preparation. However, gloves can be contaminated with microorganisms and become a source of contamination. This study investigated the survival of Listeria monocytogenes on gloves and determined the efficacy of electrolyzed oxidizing (EO) water for reducing L. monocytogenes contamination on seafood processing gloves. Three types of reusable gloves (natural rubber latex, natural latex, and nitrile) and two types of disposable gloves (latex and nitrile) were cut into small pieces (4 x 4 cm(2)) and inoculated with 5-strain L. monocytogenes cocktail (5.1 x 10(7) CFU/cm(2)) with and without shrimp meat residue attached to surfaces. L. monocytogenes did not survive well on clean reusable gloves and its populations decreased rapidly to non-detectable levels within 30 min at room temperature. However, high levels of Listeria cells were recovered from clean disposable gloves after 30 min of inoculation. Presence of shrimp meat residue on gloves enhanced the survival of L. monocytogenes. Cells of L. monocytogenes were detected on both reusable and disposal gloves even after 2 h at room temperature. Soaking inoculated gloves in EO water at room temperature for 5 min completely eliminated L. monocytogenes on clean gloves (>4.46 log CFU/cm(2) reductions) and significantly (p<0.05) reduced the contamination on soil-containing gloves when compared with tap water treatment. EO water could be used as a sanitizer to reduce L. monocytogenes contamination on gloves and reduce the possibility of transferring L. monocytogenes from gloves to RTE seafoods.

Colony Count, Microbial↗

PubMed2004

Different latex aeroallergen size distributions between powdered surgical and examination gloves: significance for environmental avoidance.

BACKGROUND: Proactive medical institutions implement latex allergen avoidance to protect workers and patients with latex allergy and to prevent latex sensitization in these groups by creating latex-safe environments that include replacement of natural rubber latex examination and surgical gloves, especially those that are powdered, with synthetic alternatives. We have hypothesized that an apparent decreasing trend in new latex allergy cases in hospitals using only synthetic examination gloves but the occasional powdered latex surgical glove might result from constitutive differences in allergen content (particle size distribution and quantity) between powdered surgical gloves and examination gloves. OBJECTIVE: Because aerodynamic particle size determines where inhaled airborne allergen deposits in the airway, the aim of this study was to investigate the differential particle size distribution of latex allergen released from powdered latex examination and surgical gloves. METHODS: Powdered and nonpowdered latex examination and surgical gloves were processed to create an aerosol in a glove box equipped with air sampling equipment capable of total particle number and mass measurements. Air particulate generated in the glove box was collected on impactors with less than 2.5-microm, 2.5- to 10-microm, and greater than 10-microm particle size limits (4 L/min for 4 hours). All filters were extracted, and latex allergen was quantified by using a latex-CAP inhibition assay with a human IgE anti-latex serum pool. RESULTS: Latex aeroallergen on powdered sterile surgical gloves resided primarily on particles greater than 10 microm in size (P <.006). In contrast, powdered examination gloves released the highest total latex aeroallergen content, with 68% of the particles sized in the respirable 2.5- to 10-microm range and carrying 56% of the airborne latex allergen. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly lower quantities and larger sizes of latex allergen-containing particles released from surgical gloves provides one potential explanation as to why an apparent decrease in new cases of latex allergy can occur in hospitals that successfully replace latex examination gloves with synthetic gloves but continue occasional use of powdered surgical gloves.

Allergens↗

PubMed2003

Latex hypersensitivity in Department of Veterans Affairs health care workers: glove use, symptoms, and sensitization.

BACKGROUND: This report of the prevalence of latex glove allergy in 3 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers was a collaboration of the VA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. OBJECTIVE: To enroll and evaluate personnel from across the entire hospital workforce for latex hypersensitivity and to determine the type and extent of latex glove use. METHODS: A questionnaire was administered that covered demographics, job category, latex glove use, and current latex glove allergic symptoms. Skin testing to aeroallergens was performed to evaluate the presence of atopy. Blood was drawn for analyses of serum antilatex IgE antibody by CAP assay. RESULTS: Of 1,959 subjects, 158 (8.1%) had latex glove-allergic symptoms, a positive latex CAP assay result, or both. In 1,003 subjects who reported latex glove use, 915 (91.4%) used nonpowdered gloves. A total of 133 subjects reported latex glove allergic symptoms, and 36 subjects had positive CAP assay results. Latex sensitization was correlated with atopy, race, and latex glove exposure. Latex symptoms were correlated with atopy, a positive CAP assay result, and latex glove exposure. Of the 133 subjects with latex glove allergic symptoms, only 11 had positive CAP assay results, giving a prevalence of confirmed latex glove allergy of 0.6%. CONCLUSIONS: Symptoms attributed to latex gloves and/or latex sensitization occurred in 8.1% of the employee population, with exposure, race, and atopy being the major risk factors. Few symptomatic individuals were sensitized to latex (0.6%). This low rate of confirmed latex glove allergy may have been related to nonpowdered glove use.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Surgical glove perforation in cardiac surgery.

BACKGROUND: Recently, concern for the protection of health care employees and health care recipients has led to increasing awareness of transmitted infections. Sterile surgical gloves were tested to determine the incidence of perforations after being worn during procedures commonly performed by cardiac surgeons. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study conducted from January 15, 2000 through February 15, 2000, 953 gloves worn during cardiac surgery were evaluated for punctures. Pairs of sterile latex surgical gloves were collected over a period of one month. Routine tasks included mainly bypass and valve surgery. Impermeability was tested by means of a water retention test according to European standard EN 455 Part 1 performed on 954 (Manufix, Hartmann, Germany) latex gloves. A control group of 50 unused gloves was also evaluated for the presence of spontaneous leakage. Gloves were separated according to whether the wearer was an operator (254 gloves), first assistant (220 gloves), second assistant (272 gloves), or theatre nurse (207 gloves). Gloves with a known perforation occurring during the procedure were not included in the study. RESULTS: There were no punctures in the 50 unused gloves. Punctures were detected in 66 of 254 (26.0 %) gloves used by operators, 49 of 220 (22.3 %) used by first assistants, 25 of 272 (9.2 %) used by second assistants, and 78 of 207 (37.7 %) used by theatre nurses. Some gloves had more than one puncture, accounting for the 244 holes detected (operators 75/244 = 30.7 %; first assistants 54/244 = 22.1 %; second assistants 28/244 = 11.5 %; theatre nurses 87/244 = 35.7 %). Sites of scalpel and suture needle injuries were most commonly the thumb (27.3 %) and pointer finger (42.1 %) of the non-dominant hand, followed by, in descending order: middle finger (10.2 %), other fingers (15.7 %), palm (3.8 %) and back of the hand (0.9 %). CONCLUSION: The number of punctures that occur during cardiac operations is obviously higher than has so far been assumed. Therefore, cardiac surgeons should consider the incidence of unknown glove perforations when planning surgery in patients with infectious diseases.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

PubMed2000

Safety performance of gloves using the pressure tolerance of the hand.

Two prototype gloves have been designed and developed at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety performance of the developed gloves. An experiment was conducted to assess the discomfort threshold level at 12 zones on the palmar surface of the hand for five hand conditions--bare hand, single glove, double glove and two prototype gloves. Prototype I consisted of a glove with an extra layer of glove material applied selectively to critical areas of the hand; while prototype II had up to four layers applied to critical areas. This design increases protection in critical areas without increasing bulk, provides performances comparable with single glove, and improves grip strength. The study was conducted using an algometer device to apply pressure to each of the 12 zones, for all hand conditions. The results indicated that for pressure tolerance, prototype II had the highest pressure-discomfort threshold, while prototype I had a threshold similar to the double layer glove. Pressure discomfort tolerance threshold is greatly increased by the use of gloves, and pressure-discomfort thresholds are raised by 25-65%. The two prototype gloves, although much less bulkier than the double glove, have pressure thresholds that are equal to or superior to that of a double glove. The algometer can be used to assess the safety of glove from mechanical trauma. Hence, the generalizability of the results is somewhat restricted. However, the method of selective protection, without compromising performance appears to be promising and is worth pursuing by glove designers.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Binding and measuring natural rubber latex proteins on glove powder.

Cornstarch used as a donning powder on natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves adsorbs NRL proteins. During glove use, powder-carried proteins can be aerosolized and can cause allergic reactions in NRL sensitized individuals. The amount of NRL proteins bound to glove powder and its relative relationship to the total amount of proteins on the glove has not been studied, due to the difficulty in measuring proteins on powder. Using the ELISA inhibition assay for NRL proteins [Standard test method for the immunological measurement of antigenic protein in natural rubber and its products. In: The Annual Book of ASTM Standards; ASTM: West Conshohocken, PA, 2000; ASTM D 64-0] we have investigated possible protocol modifications in order to include measurement of proteins bound to glove powder, as well as the water-extractable glove proteins. Possible interference of the starch itself was evaluated by adding clean cornstarch to the assay. No significant interference was observed with powder concentrations below 5 mg/mL. We analyzed 19 extracts of powdered surgical and examination gloves before and after removal of the particulate component. Comparison of NRL glove extracts with, and without, the cornstarch powder fraction indicated significant variations in the ratios of powder-bound protein and corresponding water-extractable protein. The ratios did not appear to correlate with either the total protein on the glove, the glove weight, or the total amount of powder on the glove. However, when virgin glove powders were exposed to NRL proteins, binding was proportional to the protein concentration in the suspension. Temperature in the range from 4 degrees C to 37 degrees C, did not affect binding intensity, while a higher pH resulted in a higher level of protein associated with, or bound to, the starch. The major differences in the propensity for NRL protein binding were observed among different glove powders. The data indicate that the amount of protein that binds to glove powder does not depend only on the initial protein levels in the raw NRL. More likely, other physical or chemical factors introduced during the manufacturing process, as well as the properties of the donning powder itself, may influence protein binding. Moreover, we demonstrated that the ELISA inhibition assay could be successfully modified for quantitation of proteins adsorbed on the glove powder, together with water-extractable proteins.

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay↗