ZINC-COMPOUNDS IN URETHRAL CATHETERS - A POSSIBLE SOURCE OF TOXICITY

The cytotoxicity of latex urinary catheters has been earlier documente d. During the manufacturing process tens of chemicals are added to the natural rubber base. Several of the accelerators and other chemicals used have carcinogenic and acute toxic effects. Some of the accelerato rs are zinc compounds. In the present study, the cytotoxicity and zinc concentration of 68 latex catheter extracts were analysed. The silico nized latex catheters were the most toxic, and a correlation was seen between the IC50 values and the zinc concentration. The good manufactu ring practice (GMP) has to some extent resolved the cytotoxicity probl em of latex urinary catheters. There is, however, still a need to refo rmulate the manufacturing process and to find new catheter materials t o meet the new EN standards concerning the biological safety of urinar y catheters.