Failure of glove hole detection device for synthetic gloves

Holes in lates gloves can be reliably detected by commercially available el ectronic devices. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of an electronic glove hole detection device using lates gloves to that of neoprene, vinyl, and nitrile latex-free gloves. The electronic hole detecti on device accurately detected holes in the lates gloves during the 2-h stud y. In contrast, the later-free gloves were immediately conductive of electr icity in the absence of holes, Consequently, electronic glove hole detectio n devices cannot be reliably used with latex-free gloves. (C) 1999 John Wil ey gr Sons, Inc.