Permeability of latex and polyvinyl chloride gloves to carmustine

Permeability of latex and polyvinyl chloride gloves to the antineoplastic agent carmustine was studied. The latex gloves were of two types: sterile surgical gloves and disposable utility gloves. Polyvinyl chloride gloves of two thicknesses (0.20 mm and 0.35 mm) were tested. Both single and double thicknesses of each material were exposed to carmustine 3.33 mg/ml in a 10% aqueous solution of ethanol, and to the solvent alone, for 5-90 minutes. Permeation of carmustine was tested using a mutagenicity assay and a chemical assay. A time-dependent increase in carmustine permeation was observed for all types of materials (both double and single thicknesses). Mean amounts of carmustine permeating single gloves at 90 minutes ranged from 53 to 86 micrograms for the mutagenicity assay and 49 to 78 micrograms for the chemical assay. Double thicknesses of glove material (especially of the thicker polyvinyl chloride) reduced the amount of drug permeation. These latex and polyvinyl chloride glove materials offer only limited protection against contact exposure to carmustine. Latex surgical gloves may be slightly less permeable than the other types tested.