[NHCOLL-L:754] Re: skins and gloves

[Kathryn Makos]

One important reason to wear gloves when handling specimens is to protect yourself from residual pesticides, particularly arsenic compounds which are human carcinogens.  To this end, cotton gloves are not the best as they can act as a wick for the particulates, should the glove become wet with pespiration.  Disposable vinyl, nitrile, or latex (as long as there are no concerns about latex allergies among your coworkers) are to be considered.  Glove material choices may be influenced further by any collection/conservation concerns specific to your collections.

Kathryn A. Makos, MPH, CIH
Industrial Hygienist
Smithsonian Institution
Office of Environmental Management and Safety
750 Ninth St., N.W.
Suite 9100
Washington, DC 20560-0932
(for other-than-USPS deliveries, use zip code of 20001)
(202) 275-0705
(202) 275-0746-fax