Application of Colorimetric Indicators and Thermo-Hand Method to Determine Base Permeation Through Chemical Protective Gloves

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the use of colorimetric indicator pads and the thermo-hand method for detection of inorganic/organic base permeation of chemical protective gloves under simulated in-use conditions. Breakthrough times for four types of gloves were determined based on the color change of pads and ranged from 3 to 10 min for butylamine, from 4 min to > 4 hours for diisopropylamine, from 6 min to > 4 hours for triethylamine, and > 4 hours for sodium hydroxide. Quantification was performed for butylamine, diisopropylamine, and triethylamine by gas chromatography following solvent desorption. These chemicals exhibited > 99% adsorption on the pads at spiking levels of 1.08–1.11 μg for each base. The recovery for the system was calculated for each chemical, with results ranging from 50–74% (RSD ≤5%) for these bases over the spiking range 0.22–1.11 μg. The quantitative mass of the bases on the pads at the time of breakthrough detection ranged from 118–121, 117–120, and 109–116 μg/cm2 for butylamine, diisopropylamine, and triethylamine, respectively. The thermo-hand test method and base indicators together should find utility in detecting, collecting, and quantitatively analyzing base permeation samples under simulated in-use conditions.