Permeation of 2-Butoxyethanol Through Multiple Layers of a Disposable Nitrile Glove and a Single Layer of Microflex 93-260

Double gloving of disposable gloves occurs in healthcare when extra protection is required against carcinogens, sensitizers, pathogens and sharps. Triple gloving is much rarer. The resistances of single, double and triple layers of disposable nitrile glove material against 2-butoxyethanol (2-BE), were compared with the resistance of a single layer of Microflex 93-260. Three 2.54-cm ASTM F739 permeation cells with closed-loop water collection without recirculation in a moving tray water bath at 35.0 ± 0.5oC facilitated the permeation relative to a blank cell. Capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry allowed determination of the standardized breakthrough time (SBT), steady state permeation rate (SSPR) and cumulated permeated mass/area (CPM/A). Two nitrile layers (267 ± 14 µm) were about the same thickness as Microflex 93-260 (249 ± 6 µm). Statistical analysis showed equivalence at p ≤ 0.05 of the multiple layers and Microflex 93-260 relative to average SBT and CPM/A permeated at 30 min, all such comparisons with the single nitrile layer also being statistically different. The triple layer had an average SSPR eight times lower than its single layer while that for the Microflex 93-260 layer was 1.5 times lower.