UCLA

The hypothesis was that multiple layers of disposable nitrile gloves would provide more protection against cyclohexanol than a single layer relative to Standardized Breakthrough Time (SBT) and Steady State Permeation Rate (SSPR). The aims of this research were (1) to determine if a disposable nitrile glove resisted cyclohexanol, and (2) to determine if multiple glove layers provided more protection. In this study, cyclohexanol was used because of its high boiling point and solubility in water to enable closed-loop permeation cell water collection. Lavender Nitrile Powder-Free Exam Gloves were used because they are the least expensive and thinnest disposable nitrile gloves from Kimberly-Clark. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Method F739-12 for permeation resistance under continuous contact was used in this study through single, double and triple layers of Lavender disposable nitrile glove pieces. Samples were taken from the collection side of the permeation cells and later analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The Standardized Breakthrough Times (SBTs) of single, double and triple layers samples were 0.25 � 0.25 minutes, 45 �15 minutes, and 180 � 60 minutes, respectively, which were Not Recommended, Good and Excellent according to Kimberly Clark safety rating. The SSPR of single layer samples was 363.3 � 4.0 �g/cm2/min, which rating was Poor according to Kimberly-Clark safety rating and Fair according to Ansell safety rating. The diffusion coefficient was 257 � 29 *10-8 cm2/min. Double and triple layers samples never reached SSPR during the 8-hour tests. The results proved that multiple layers did provide more protection against cyclohexanol, where double layers were 180 times more protective than single layer, and triple layers were 720 times more protective than a single layer relative to standardized breakthrough time. The limitations of this study were: (1) glove pieces swelled, so that the calculation for diffusion coefficients may not be valid; (2) the duration between each sample was not short enough to have accurate average permeation rate at the times less than 10 minutes and greater than 60 minutes; (3) the shaking water bath could not simulate exactly hand motions; (4) this study did not test other Kimberly Clark disposable nitrile gloves, such as Blue and Purple.