1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one in disposable polyvinyl chloride gloves for medical use.
BACKGROUND
Benzisothiazolinone is used as a slimicide in the manufacture of disposable powder-free polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves. We recently reported 6 patients from dentistry and health care probably sensitized to benzisothiazolinone in PVC gloves.


OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to investigate how widely disposable PVC gloves for medical use on the Finnish market in 2006 contain benzisothiazolinone and to report new cases from 2 clinics in Helsinki.


METHODS
31 brands of disposable PVC gloves were analysed for their benzisothiazolinone content. We looked through the patient material of Helsinki University Central Hospital to find benzisothiazolinone allergic patients. We also described 3 previously unpublished benzisothiazolinone allergic patients from Finnish Institute of Occupational Health.


RESULTS
9 (30%) of the 31 glove brands contained 3-26 p.p.m. benzisothiazolinone. From the 2 clinics, we found 5 new benzisothiazolinone allergic patients who had used PVC gloves containing benzisothiazolinone. In addition, 3 patients had used disposable PVC gloves whose benzisothiazolinone content remained unknown.


CONCLUSIONS
In Finland, benzisothiazolinone in powder-free PVC gloves has caused a small epidemic of allergic contact dermatitis in dental personnel and other health care workers. 1/3 of the disposable PVC gloves contained some benzisothiazolinone. A concentration of 20 p.p.m. benzisothiazolinone in a glove seems to be enough for sensitization.
Aalto-Korte
Kristiina
K
Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH), Control of Hypersensitivity Diseases, Helsinki, Finland. kristiina.aalto-korte@ttl.fi
Ackermann
Leena
L
Henriks-Eckerman
Maj-Len
ML
Välimaa
Jarmo
J
Reinikka-Railo
Hely
H
Leppänen
Esa
E
Jolanki
Riitta
R
D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D010328:Patch Tests; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride / Q000009:adverse effects; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
D004202:Disinfectants; D013844:Thiazoles; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; C015699:1,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one