Permeation of Cancer Chemotherapeutic Drugs Through Glove Materials under Static and Flexed Conditions

Abstract

Abstract Gloves are the most common protective measure against contamination with antineoplastics. However, there is no consensus about which glove material offers the best protection. There are few data on the permeability of gloves to this group of potential carcinogens. All studies have been conducted under static conditions, with no attempt at simulating the flexing and stretching that may be present in the occupational setting. Flexing has been shown to increase the permeability of glove materials to certain chemicals. To investigate the effects of flexing on permeation by antineoplastics, a permeation cell apparatus was modified so that glove materials could be flexed during testing. Surgical latex, exam latex, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves were tested with four drugs: cyclophosphamide, doxirubicin, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil. Utilizing radiolabeled compounds and liquid scintillation counting for a direct and sensitive analytical technique, gloves were tested at times representative of o...