title: The influence of hydrogen peroxide on the permeability of protective gloves to resorcinol in hairdressing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hairdressers are exposed to hair dye chemicals, for example resorcinol and hydrogen peroxide. Adequate skin protection is an important preventive measure against occupational skin disease.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine whether hydrogen peroxide may cause deterioration of protective gloves.
  
  
  METHODS
  Permeation of resorcinol through gloves of polyvinylchloride (PVC) (n = 8), natural rubber latex (NRL) (n = 5) and nitrile rubber (NR) (n = 5) was studied in a two-compartment cell, with resorcinol as an indicator for hair dyes. The amount of resorcinol that had permeated was analysed with a high-performance liquid chromatography instrument. Cumulative breakthrough time and permeation rate were compared for hydrogen peroxide-pretreated and untreated gloves.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cumulative breakthrough time was > 1 hr but < 4 hr for all tested gloves. Pretreatment of PVC gloves resulted in a slightly decreased breakthrough time, and pretreatment of NRL gloves decreased the permeation rate. No change was recorded in NR gloves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with hydrogen peroxide had a minor effect on permeation in the tested gloves. NR gloves provided the best protection. However, taking the allergy risk of rubber gloves into account, plastic gloves are recommended in hairdressing. PVC gloves may be used, but not for > 1 hr. Disposable gloves should never be reused, regardless of material.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Box 210, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Marie-Louise
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.forename: Stina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnsson
authors.forename: Carola
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lidén
authors.forename: Birgitta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Meding
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boman
mesh_terms: D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006202:Hair Dyes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000737:chemistry*; D007840:Latex; D008422:Materials Testing; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control; D010539:Permeability; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D012118:Resorcinols / Q000737:chemistry*; D012408:Rubber; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006202:Hair Dyes; D007840:Latex; D012118:Resorcinols; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D012408:Rubber; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C031389:resorcinol
keywords: hair dyes; hairdressers; permeation; protective gloves; resorcinol