Continuous glove use is more common in dentistry than in most other occupations, and the glove should offer protection against
blood-borne infections, skin irritants and contact
allergens.
Methacrylate monomers are potent contact
allergens, and it is known that these substances may penetrate the glove materials commonly used. The aim of this study was to assess the permeability of various types of gloves to methyl
methacrylate (MMA),
2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (
HEMA) and
triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (
TEGDMA) with special reference to combinations with
ethanol or
acetone. The permeation rate and time lag breakthrough (lag-BT) for MMA (neat, or diluted to 30% in
ethanol or
acetone),
HEMA (30% in water,
ethanol, or
acetone) and
TEGDMA (30% in
ethanol or
acetone) were investigated for different
protective gloves. Nine different types of gloves were tested for one or several of these
methacrylates. The lag-BT for neat MMA was </= 2 min for all gloves. For 30% MMA in
ethanol or
acetone, the
latex gloves and the polyethene-copolymer glove showed the best protection, but the lag-BTs were short for all gloves. For
HEMA and
TEGDMA, the lag-BTs were generally longer than for MMA. A
neoprene glove seemed to be the best choice for protection against penetration of
HEMA and
TEGDMA. The decision on which types of gloves to use should also take into account the risks of
latex allergy and contact
allergy to rubber chemicals and the convenience of the gloves for fine manual work.