Posted By Kevin Walker Hi, It would appear that there is very little information nitrile and vinyl allergies but most of the problem is with latex gloves and the powder used in them, which contains many proteins hence sensitization and subsequent allergy to some people. Apparently earilier forms of nitrile had some latex in them (unconfirmed) which caused some reactions. The problem as with everything is that there will always be someone allergic to something. Occasionally it all gets blown completely out of proportion, then there is the potential for compensation and it all gets worse, the support groups start etc etc. As with any sensitization there will always be not just one issue it will always be a combination of factors that result in something that no one accounted for, bit like risk assessment really. Always easier after the accident. you can try a pubmed search, but again most or all of it is about latex and powder. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih....rez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed cheers kevin

Posted By J Knight John, Good points, thanks for your post; do you have a source for your comments about vinyl and nitrile gloves, if so it would be just what we are looking for, John

Posted By J Knight Hi Neal, That's a different question; we aren't sure at all, however, the context makes gloves and their controls important, John

Posted By Robert K Lewis Thes notes make some warning bells jingle in my head - Have you been talking to a person in another company about this person in particualr and her health problems and thence the use of gloves? If so you could be very close to breaching DP requirements. You comment also that she does not use gloves with you but she does with other employers, this suggests she is a cleaner or similar, so what is different about the substances and work she does with you compared to the others. You need to carefully assess why she has dermatitis to rule out your work. On the nitrile-vinyl issue I too have seen many assertions but have not yet found any peer reviewed studies. As is mentioned in other responses there will always be some susceptible people whatever is used - it is a question of selecting appropriately for each individual. The corn starch was I understand the major irritant however so I always go for undusted types when I need to use them. Bob

Posted By Diane Thomason John, The Glove Usage Guidelines from the Infection Control Nurses' Association (1999) has references to reports of sensitivity reactions to nitrile and vinyl gloves: Brehler R. (1996) Contact urticaria caused by latex-free nitrile glove. Contact Dermatitis 34:296 Burke, F.J.T et al (1995) Factors associated with the skin irritation of hands experienced by general dental practitioners. Contact Dermatitis 32:35-38 The former (nitrile) was an allergy, the latter (vinyl) was contact dermatitis. So, not an urban miff, but probably rare. Latex gloves have lots of potential allergens in them i.e. over a dozen different proteins, plus the chemical accelerators. Nitrile and vinyl gloves aren't made of protein so the only allergens in them are the processing chemicals. HTH Diane

Posted By J Knight Diane, Thanks for this info; I have seen the Infection Control Nurse's guidance and consider it the bee's knees on this subject. Is it still in print and if so where do I get it from? John

Posted By Adrian Watson Dear All, Adams Occupational Skin Diseases [1999] 3rd End ISBN 0-7216-7037-7 Chapter 29 (pp501-551)deals with this subject in some detail. It states that rubber, natural or synthetic has the ability to cause both allergic and irritant reactions in persons. Irritation and delayed (Type IV) reactions have been recognised clinically for decades. More recently natural rubber protiens have emerged as cause of immediate (type I) hypersensitivity. Reports of irritation and delayed or immediate hypersensitivity have come from workers in various occupations, health care workers, and certain patient populations. Regards Adrian Watson

Posted By Diane Thomason John, I'm afraid I don't know if it is still in print. Do you have a friendly infection control nurse nearby who you can contact? If not, let me know (directly) and I'll see if I can contact the one at our local NHS Trust to ask her. Diane

Posted By Paul Durkin Hi All, Gosh my attempt to give the latest source of advice i.e SMTL dated 28th Oct has re-energised,loads of sources dating back to 1995. (9 responses in 3days & counting)Is the consensus that ALL disposable gloves contain an allergen(i.e.typeIV)but only latex can give both type 1 & typeIV !!! What a choice? Means health surveillance for all !!! Regards,Paul Durkin