Electrical conductivity as a test for the integrity of latex gloves

Technical Report · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:6672541

Stampfer, J F; Kissane, R J; Schauer, S M

Surgical latex gloves have been used to protect patients against bacterial infections introduced by health-care workers. As a result of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic, the concern has shifted, with more emphasis on the protection of the health-care worker from the patient. These gloves often have defects, holes, which allow bacteria to penetrate. There are a number of methods to test the integrity of these gloves before they are donned. The present standard test is to fill the glove with 1000 ml of water and visually inspect the exterior for water leaks. Another method allows the gloves to be tested while being worn. This is done by measuring the electrical conductivity through the latex, from the hand to an external conductive solution. We have investigated the use of electrical conductivity to test sterile latex gloves, both with and without holes. We have studied various phenomena associated with this testing and conducted simultaneous electrical and viral penetration tests. Our conclusions are as follows. (1) Electrical conductivity test method for gloves while they are being worn is very dependent on the specific glove being tested, primarily on the conductivity of the intact glove. (2) In the best of cases, reliable results could be expected for only about one hour of wear and for holes larger than 10s of [mu]ms. (3) There are practical problems that may disqualify the electrical conductivity test for routine use. (4) The test may prove to be valuable as a QA test procedure for nonconductive materials and garments made from these materials because it has greater sensitivity than presently used methods. (5) The effective sizes of holes in latex increase much faster when the latex is stretched than would be predicted from the elongation of the latex.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: NIOSH; National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health, Rockville, MD (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 6672541
• Report Number(s): LA-12398-MS; ON: DE93008477
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
420202* -- Engineering-- Protective Structures & Equipment
560400 -- Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ANIMALS
CLOTHING
ELASTOMERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
GLOVES
LATEX
MAMMALS
MAN
MATERIALS TESTING
MEDICAL PERSONNEL
MICROORGANISMS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PARASITES
PERMEABILITY
PERSONNEL
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLYMERS
POROSITY
PRIMATES
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
RELIABILITY
RUBBERS
SAFETY
TESTING
VERTEBRATES
VIRUSES