title: Fundamentals of the knowledge about chemical additives present in rubber gloves.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the most frequent causes of allergic contact dermatitis of occupational origin are rubber additives, which are present in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The most allergenic additives of natural and synthetic gloves are thiurams, carbamates and mercapto group.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the state of knowledge about the chemical additives used in the manufacture of synthetic rubber gloves.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a qualitative research study in which professionals working in the manufacture, research, prescription and commercialization of gloves answered an open questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  30 individuals were interviewed: 4 researchers in occupational medicine, 5 occupational physicians, 2 occupational safety technicians, a rubber workers' union physician, an occupational safety engineer, a pro duction engineer of rubber gloves, 4 importers of gloves, a manufacturer of gloves, 3 businessmen who sell PPE, 3 salesclerks working in stores that sell PPE, 2 businessmen who own stores that sell products for allergic individuals, and 3 dermatologists.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of the chemical composition of rubber gloves is scant. The labeling of gloves, with the description of their chemical composition, would facilitate choosing the best type of glove for each person. This low-cost action to businesses would be a gain from the standpoint of public health, with huge repercussions for users of rubber gloves.
authors.affiliation: Instituto Médico Salette, São Paulo, Brasil. heglesrosa@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Hegles Rosa de
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Alice de Oliveira de Avelar
authors.initials: Ade O
authors.lastname: Alchorne
mesh_terms: D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D009783:Dermatitis, Occupational / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017575:Gloves, Protective / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006229:Hand Dermatoses / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D010328:Patch Tests; D012408:Rubber / Q000737:chemistry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D012408:Rubber