Protective Gloves:
Permeation testing
Reinhard Oppl
John Hansen
Eurofins Product Testing A/S
Denmark, Germany, France, USA, China, …
www.eurofins.com/glove-testing
October 2011
www.eurofins.com/glove-testing
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Eurofins Product Testing – Locations
Galten (DK)
Hamburg (D)
Manchester (UK)
Reichenwalde (D)
Barneveld (NL)
Des Moines (USA)
Bratislava (SK)
Paris (FR)
Aix (FR)
Torino (IT)
Shanghai (CN)
Bangalore (IND)
Shenzhen (CN)
Hong Kong (HK)
Bangkok (TH)
Eurofins Product Testing A/S
Galten, Denmark
near Arhus
ProductTesting-GA@eurofins.com
Other business areas: Tests of food, feed, pharmaceuticals, genetics, environment
October 2011
www.eurofins.com/glove-testing
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Protective gloves – chemicals
 Test: Exposure of outer surface
 Tightness against gases and liquids
(Penetration through seams, cracks and holes)

EN 374-2, ASTM F903; visual evaluation (droplets, bubbles)
 Infiltration on molecular level (Permeation)

EN 374-3, ASTM F739, ISO 6529; Collection medium / analysis
 Resistance (Degradation)

ASTM D471-98, or similar to ISO 1817

Change of physical properties (e.g. tactile strength)
 Ingredients test: Skin tolerance / allergies

EN 455-3, latex proteins

EN 420, Chrome VI (leather gloves)
October 2011
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Protective gloves – chemicals
 Infiltration on molecular level (Permeation)
 Procedure

Absorption in outer layers

Diffusion; possibly through several layers

Release from inner surface

Parameter: Breakthrough time and permeation rate
 Experience

Small molecules permeate faster than larger ones

Solvents may carry with them other substances that else may break
through much later

Chemical similarity of membrane and chemical increases permeation

Larger thickness slows down breakthrough; thickness varies within a
glove; take sample from palm or from back?
October 2011
www.eurofins.com/glove-testing
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Protective gloves – chemicals
 Nitrile does not equal Nitrile

Latex, Nitrile, Neoprene: Huge differences in composition;
Nitrile glove can be 100% nitrile latex,
or it can be mainly natural latex with thin outer layer of nitrile latex

Mention a real product in Safety Data Sheet?
 Conditions of use and of test

Temperature (23 °C / 27 °C / 33°C) (huge effect)

Stretching (when moving fingers) (only small effect)

Duration of use and of test (splash protection / 8 hours / re-use next days)
October 2011
www.eurofins.com/glove-testing
5
Protective gloves – chemicals
 Analysis

Continuous / discontinuous

Direct monitoring (FID, UV, pH, conductivity, …) or enrichment by
sampling

Collection medium: Air / water / solids

Not volatile, not soluble in water :

Collection disc is pressed tightly to inner side;

then desorption by solvent and GC or HPLC analysis
October 2011
www.eurofins.com/glove-testing
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Protective gloves – chemicals
Best
ISO 6529
MAPA
www.eurofins.com/glove-testing
October 2011
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Protective Gloves – Permeation
www.eurofins.com/glove-testing
October 2011
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Permeation testing - Eurofins
 Permeation testing since 1988
 Test with adsorption discs: 1st laboratory in Europe

firstly developed for epoxy coatings
 Projects

Improved Method for Testing of Protective Gloves
German Work Insurance and Prevention Services, 1999

Testing method for protective gloves for PAH at renovation work
German Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 2003

Risk assessment for occupational dermal exposure to chemicals
EU Commission, coordinated by TNO, 2004
October 2011
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Questions before any test
 Which chemical product or mixture?

If possible – selection of representative products

Physical state – gas, liquid, viscous, solid, granulate?
 Selection of gloves for testing?

Safety versus wearing comfort and costs

Which manufacturer? Who buys the samples?
 Questions on testing

Duration / frequency of testing

Testing temperature (our recommendation: at 33 °C as "worst-case")

Selection of collection medium and detection / analysis

Calibration with product, or with clean substances?

Ideas of customer on extraction / analysis?
October 2011
www.eurofins.com/glove-testing
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