| Abstract: | Telone is a potent volatile liquid chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticide based on 1,3‐dichloropropene that is applied without dilution for fumigation purposes, and so poses an inhalation and air pollution threat, as proven by past monitoring. 1,3‐Dichloropropene also causes allergic skin effects, is absorbed through the skin, and metabolites have been shown to be excreted after skin absorption, so making it a skin exposure threat too, one that may become most important in the situations of adequate respirator protection or cleaning up spills. It is often coformulated with agents like chloropicrin, a chemical warfare agent, to substitute for methyl bromide fumigant. The aim of the study was to assess if nitrile and laminated gloves provided adequate protection against Telone C‐35 EC?, using an ASTM‐type I‐PTC‐600 permeation cell containing disposable (Safeskin?) and chemically‐resistant (Sol‐Vex?) nitrile and laminated (Barrier? and Silver Shield?) glove materials with hexane liquid collection. Analyses of cis‐ and trans‐1,3‐dichloropropene and chloropicrin in the collection fluid at various times were performed on a moderately polar capillary column, using gas chromatography–electron capture detection by the internal and external standards methods. Both nitrile materials were degraded by the formulation and pure chloropicrin, and so were unsuitable for protection. Both laminated glove materials offered some protection with Silver Shield? the better, since less mass had permeated by 8 h, but the extent of protection was still inadequate, as illustrated by a risk assessment of the skin exposure situation. It is recommended that Viton gloves be worn rather than the laminated ones when Telone C‐35 EC? is handled. Laminated gloves may protect against pure chloropicrin. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 18–25, 2006 |
