I'd like to mention another consideration.  You don't mention what courses this student is taking, but often in general chemistry labs gloves are not really necessary.  I know that some feel that you should put on gloves as soon as you walk into ANY chemistry labs, but this is actually bad risk assessment and only reinforces the assumption that all chemicals are bad.  As Lucy indicated, allergies can develop after repeated exposure.  For students who are not going into chemistry judicial use of gloves can help prevent this development.  I am NOT saying to never wear gloves.  I'm just saying to look at the actual risk and wear them only when you really need them.

I was glad to learn that there are accelerant-free gloves available.  This is valuable information.

Kay

----- Original Message -----

From:Amanda MacPherson

To:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU

Sent: Thursday, September 01, 2016 1:05 PM

Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Latex and Nitrile Glove Allergies

 

Hi Zack,

 

No, we do not have powered gloves.  They are the thin gloves that we use for general purpose use.  We have specialty gloves for some specific applications, but the student will not be working with those types of materials for this particular lab.

 

On Thu, Sep 1, 2016 at 1:54 PM, Zack Mansdorf <mansdorfz**At_Symbol_Here**bellsouth.net> wrote:

Are you using powdered gloves?  Nitrile allergies are pretty rare.  Are these thin gloves or thick gloves (thin I assume).

 

If the glove use is to keep the student clean or the work area clean, there are potential alternatives.  If it is for chemical permeation resistance, you need to check permeation guides.

 

Zack

S.Z. Mansdorf, PhD, CIH, CSP, QEP

Consultant in EHS and Sustainability

7184 Via Palomar

Boca Raton, FL  33433

561-212-7288

 

 

 

From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**med.cornell.edu]On Behalf Of Bob Hill
Sent: Thursday, September 1, 2016 1:34 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Latex and Nitrile Glove Allergies

 

I have not heard of nitrile glove allergy but allergy to latex is not uncommon. It would be good to document the nitrile allergy if it has not been previously reported.  Perhaps you could try vinyl gloves but I would do it cautiously since this person is allergic to nitrile (a polymer). 

-----Original Message-----
>From: "Secretary, ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety"
>Sent: Sep 1, 2016 12:59 PM
>To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
>Subject: [DCHAS-L] Latex and Nitrile Glove Allergies
>
>From: Amanda MacPherson
>Re: Latex and Nitrile Glove Allergies
>
>Hello,
>
>We currently have a student going through our chemistry program that has an allergy to latex and nitrile gloves. Does anyone know of a suitable alternative they would recommend? I have found several alternatives, but I know virtually nothing about the gloves themselves.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Amanda MacPherson
>
>--
>Amanda MacPherson
>Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator
>Physical Sciences Department
>York College of Pennsylvania
>441 Country Club Road
>York, PA 17403

Robert H. Hill, Jr., Ph.D.

Stone Mountain, GA 30087

roberth_hill**At_Symbol_Here**mindspring.com

 

"The Safety Ethic: I value safety, work safely, prevent at-risk behavior, promote safety, and accept responsibility for safety." 

 

--

Amanda MacPherson

Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator

Physical Sciences Department

York College of Pennsylvania

441 Country Club Road

York, PA 17403

 

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