NOTES (Latex glove leakage)

Chemicals, including toxic antineoplastic medications, can permeate
rapidly through intact surgical gloves (Connor et al 1984, Laidlaw et al
1984, Slevin et al 1984, Stoikes et al 1987, Waegemaekers et al 1983,
Williams 1979). Both surgical and examination gloves are permeable to
ethanol in alcohol-based disinfectants (Baumann et al 2000), to some
chemicals commonly used in hospitals (Makela et al 2003), and to organic
monomers and solvents in dental materials (Lonnroth and Ruyter 2002,
Munksgaard 1992, 2000, Tinsley and Chadwick 1997).

________

The term microperforation describes holes that are too small to be
recognized by users, but being large enough to allow the passage of
microorganisms (Skaug 1976). The flexible nature of latex gloves allows
microperforations to open and close depending on whether or not gloves
are
stretched (Carey et al 1989, Korniewicz et al 1989, Stampfer et al 1994).
Microperforations may result from manufacturing defects, material fatigue
or extensive wear. Permeation can occur through diffusion, capillary
action, or forced movement across the micro porous latex membrane.

__________

Korniewicz et al (1989) found substantial leakage of bacteriophage
through
vinyl and latex examination gloves that had undergone a graduated series
of clinical use levels. Gloves may lose their ability to provide an
intact
barrier in routine medical and nursing procedures and health care
providers have been cautioned about the risk of infection (Kotilainen et
al 1989, Rego and Roley 1999). Also an increase in leakage properties was
found for various brands of gloves after use in a clinical dental setting
(Adams et al 1992, Doll et al 2000, Merchant et al 1992).

________

Both vinyl and latex examination gloves were found to provide some
protection as barriers against bacteria but latex gloves maintained
better
glove barrier integrity for procedures performed during “in-use” testing
(Korniewicz et al 1990, Merchant et al 1992, Rego and Roley 1999). In
addition, it was reported in the 1980s that manufacturer’s quality
control
of latex gloves varied and that viral penetration could occur when gloves
were exposed to viruses such as HIV or hepatitis (Arnold et al 1988,
Dalgleish and Malkovsky 1988, Hamann and Nelson 1993, Korniewicz et al
1990 ).