As part of a study into contact dermatitis, Ansell, in conjunction with an independent German laboratory, conducted glove permeation tests for protection against epoxy resins. The results showed Ansell’s Sol-Vex glove showed no signs of permeation after eight hours contact with the resin.
Epoxy resins are known to be a major cause of occupational skin disease and put the user at a high risk of contact dermatitis, which accounts for 90-95 percent of all occupational skin diseases.
Occupational dermatitis causes widespread injury related costs, including lost time, falls in productivity, employee morale and profitability.
An Australian study* found that 60 percent of workers affected by dermatitis had applied for workers compensation and all of them had successful claims.
In an earlier study of occupational dermatitis, conducted in 2003, epoxy resins were found to be the most important relevant allergen in painter groups, and the second most common relevant allergen in the construction industry. The three most commonly affected occupations were floor finishers, process workers and spray painters.
Within these applications, gloves were used by only 67.4 percent of workers. Furthermore, none of the gloves used gave the wearer adequate protection against epoxy resins.
The characteristics of epoxy resins has led to their extensive use in adhesives, paints, coatings, sealants, fillers, concrete repair, reinforced polymer composites, varnishes, product finishing and laminates.
These materials are widely used in the building and construction, printing, publishing and painting industries.
During glove permeation tests, conducted by Ansell and an independent German laboratory, chemical resistance performance was measured on eight chemical gloves against five commonly used epoxy resins.
Ansell’s Sol-Vex® glove showed no signs of permeation after eight hours contact with the resin.
Gloves made out of neoprene, natural rubber or vinyl, were not recommended for protection against epoxies.
*Reference: Nugriaty D. I., Allergic Contact Dermatitis to Epoxy Resin: A Series of Occupational-Related Cases, The University of Melbourne Advanced Medical science May 2004, Occupational Dermatology Research and Education Centre.
Image: Courtesy of Ansell Limited