Latex condom deterioration accelerated by environmental factors: I. Ozone

Randomized crossover trial comparing the eZ.on plastic condom and a latex condom

This randomized crossover trial compared the breakage and slippage rates, safety, and acceptability of the recently developed polyurethane bi-directional eZ.on condom with a marketed latex condom. Three hundred sixty couples were asked to use 4 eZ.on condoms and 4 latex condoms. Like several other non-latex condoms tested to date, the eZ.on condom had a higher clinical breakage rate than its latex comparator, while the slippage rates were similar. The clinical breakage rate for the eZ.on condom was 5.6%, compared with 0.9% for the latex condom (difference = 4.76%, with upper 95% confidence bound on the difference = 6.26%). Thus, based on an a priori definition of a 2% clinically acceptable difference, the study failed to conclude equivalence relative to clinical breakage. The complete slippage rate for eZ.on was 1.6%; compared to 0.7% for latex (difference = 0.87%, with upper 95% confidence bound = 1.55%). Thus, based on an a priori definition of a 2% difference we concluded equivalence relative to complete slippage. The safety profile of the eZ.on condom was good and similar to the latex condom. The eZ.on was also found to be easier to don and remove than the latex condom. Although no overall preference existed for either condom, nearly 30%women and men strongly preferred the eZ.on condom to the latex condom. The eZ.on condom may be an acceptable alternative for couples unable or unwilling to use latex condoms.

The permeability of dental procedure and examination gloves by an alcohol based disinfectant

OBJECTIVES

The usage of gloves in dentistry has increased greatly over the last 10 years and this has highlighted certain problems when gloves are being worn extensively. While skin irritations and allergies caused by latex proteins and accelerators have been the main focus of attention, dental materials such as disinfectants have also become known as a source of skin reactions. This study was performed to evaluate the permeability of various gloves by ethanol.

METHODS

The tip of the middle finger of 13 glove brands (natural latex gloves (NLG) powdered or unpowdered, powdered vinyl, nitrile and synthetic elastomer) was exposed to 5 ml of a hand disinfectant (Desderman). After a penetration time ranging from 2 min to 8 h the permeation of Desderman was detected with a gas chromatograph.

RESULTS

Only one component of the disinfectant (ethanol) could be detected to have gone through the gloves. After only 2 min the vinyl and one nitrile glove and after 10 min all glove types were permeated. Powder seemed to have no real influence on the penetration of ethanol. Some natural latex gloves showed a low rate of leakage, while vinyl and nitrile gloves were penetrated quickly and to a great extent. The synthetic elastomer (Biogel Neotech) was the only one with a significantly lower penetration even after 2-8 h.

SIGNIFICANCE

While there are reports of adverse skin reactions to alcohol the amount of ethanol (up to 40 microliters after 2 h) detected in this study is much too low to cause irritations and certainly not toxicity, but it could possibly initiate allergic reactions.

The permeability of dental gloves following exposure to certain dental materials

OBJECTIVES

This investigation sought to study the permeability of three commonly used clinical gloves when exposed to chemical agents.

METHODS

A total of 35 gloves of each type were selected at random and were assigned to one of seven equally sized treatment groups. The effective barrier properties were investigated following treatment for 15 min with one of: acid etchant, Trim, cavity varnish, Hibiscrub, Hydrex and Vitremer using a dye permeability test. Following the chemical insult a 0.02% solution of erythrosine dye was introduced into each glove and the outer glove surface was washed with 10 ml of distilled water at intervals of 30, 60, 90 and 120 min. The percentage absorption of the collected washings, at 530 nm, was determined using a spectrophotometer. The results were compared with those values obtained from untreated gloves.

RESULTS

Acid etchant and Hydrex had little effect on any of the gloves. Trim caused an increase in permeability of the vinyl gloves but had little or no effect upon those made of latex. Cavity varnish increased the permeability of both Biogel D and Tru-Touch but had no effect on Featherlite. The integrity of the latex gloves was diminished by Hibiscrub but little effect was observed in the case of the vinyl based glove. The permeability of all three gloves was increased by exposure to Vitremer liquid.

CONCLUSIONS

Manufacturers should provide details of potential glove chemical interactions to assist dentists in glove selection.

Observations of scanning electron microscopy detected abnormalities of non-lubricated latex condoms

To describe surface abnormalities found by scanning electron microscopy of non-lubricated latex condoms, thirty samples of 15 condoms were photographed at low (26-94x), medium (240-940x) and high (> 1000x) magnification. Each sample was initially scanned at low magnification to determine the presence and location of surface abnormalities. Photographs taken at medium and high magnification were of the area most representative of the abnormality. Nine samples (30%) were completely normal at all magnifications. Of the total viewed at low power, 18 (60%) were normal, 11 (37%) revealed ridging and 1 (3%) revealed melting. Of the total viewed at medium power, 14 (47%) were normal, 3 (10%) showed cracking, 2 (7%) showed melting or a combination of ridging and cracking, and 11 (37%) showed ridging. At high power, 10 (34%) were normal, 11 (38%) revealed either melting or a combination of two defects, 5 (17%) showed ridging, and 3 (10%) revealed cracking. Fifteen (50%) of the samples revealed a surface abnormality (cracking or melting) other than ridging. The majority of condoms viewed under scanning electron microscopy revealed surface abnormalities. The implication of the detected abnormalities needs further evaluations. While ridging may represent a minor abnormality associated with condom handling, multiple abnormalities or melting may represent a more significant atypicality.

Permeability of latex gloves after contact with dental materials

The use of latex examination gloves in the dental office has become the standard of care. However, the effectiveness of gloves as a barrier after coming into contact with specific dental materials is still uncertain. To examine the effects of dental materials is still uncertain. To examine the effects of dental materials on latex, 100 latex examination glove finger tips were divided into 10 groups. Each group was manipulated in a different dental material for 15 minutes. Permeability was detected by the passage of herpes virus across the latex membrane, rinsed from the inner glove surface and titrated onto Vero cells. Significant virus leakage was discovered in gloves treated with acrylic monomer, chloroform, and orange solvent. Little virus leakage was noted in bleach, soap, and 30% phosphoric acid etchant treated gloves, and no virus leakage was found with composite resin, ethanol, formocresol, and water treated gloves. These data were supported with scanning electron micrographs taken of the treated glove samples and comparing with the controls. When certain dental materials are manipulated while wearing gloves, irreversible damage to the material occurs and may increase the practitioner's exposure to pathogens.

Altered surface character of stretched condom latex

A new type of imperfection in condom latex, present during moderate stretching, was observed by low magnification scanning electron microscopy. The normally smooth surface of relaxed natural latex was transformed into an accordion-like arrangement of ripples in addition to tears. A corollary experiment with Alcian blue dye placed into both stretched and unstretched condoms leaked no dye. These surface features are consistent with latex acting as a molecular barrier. The tears may represent areas of lowered mechanical resistance and raise questions concerning quality control.