Implications of the presence of dithiocarbamate in latex gloves

Dithiocarbamate is used as a preservative or vulcanizing accelerator in the manufacturing process of latex gloves. Twenty-five types of gloves were tested for the presence of this additive by three methods: using an iodide/azide reagent; elemental analysis; and investigating the inhibition of the setting reaction of a vinyl polysiloxane putty. The results of these tests confirm that dithiocarbamates are the chemical components which cause the inhibition of the setting of a vinyl polysiloxane putty. Given this finding, and concerns regarding the possible effects of dithiocarbamate on skin, the use of dithiocarbamate-free gloves is recommended.