Permeation of human scent through laboratory examination gloves

Abstract

It is generally accepted in the canine detection industry that a barrier (such as a glove) should be used between a human and evidence or canine training aids in order to prevent contamination and cross‐contamination as well as protect the handler from hazardous materials. However, no studies exist evaluating this assumption. Further, there is no published literature examining the different types of gloves for their utility in handling evidence or training materials used in canine detection work. This study was the first of its kind to address these gaps in the literature. First, GloGerm™ was used as a proxy for human scent and odor(s)/particulate(s) to visualize potential contamination. Then, three types of gloves (nitrile, two layers of nitrile, latex, and polyethylene) were tested for the permeation of human scent using furfural as a proof of concept, followed by pooled human sweat. Finally, the inherent odor of each glove type was identified. Two analytical techniques were used simultaneously as static and standoff dynamic detection systems, respectively: solid‐phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (SPME–GC–MS) and direct analysis in real time‐mass spectrometry (DART‐MS). Using a double layer of nitrile gloves was the most effective in preventing furfural permeation from the analytical standard, while a single layer of nitrile prevented furfural from permeating from human sweat up to 2 h. Polyethylene gloves allowed the highest amount of furfural permeation but had no inherent odor detected. Headspace analysis detected two compounds for nitrile gloves and four compounds for latex gloves, but the nitrile compounds had a higher relative abundance.

Toward maintaining canine training aid integrity: Visualizing contamination and testing storage materials for a non‐hazardous canine training aid

“…A clean POCR canine training aid was first placed inside of a clean Mylar bag (Uline). Then, between 40 and 45 mg of powdered GloGerm™ were added, and the bag was gently agitated for c. 10 s [17]. This powder represented the TATP contamination that could potentially occur.…”

“…All samples were analyzed using positive ion mode on an AccuTOF-DART-4G (JEOL, Inc.) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the calibrator as previously described [17]. A TATP positive control was tested aid from its primary container, the lip of the container (i.e., the space above the seal) may be contaminated.…”

“…Visualization of contamination/odor transfer between a canine training aid and a surface was demonstrated using GloGerm™, a fluorescent material frequently employed to teach hygiene and decontamination techniques in hospitals and schools [18]. A similar experiment and methodology for the visualization of contamination using GloGerm™ on gloved hands has been previously published [17]. In this particular case, the GloGerm™ powder acted as a proxy for TATP, showing how odor transfer may occur between a TATP canine training aid and the surface it comes into contact with.…”

Applications of ambient ionization mass spectrometry in 2022: An annual review

“…53 DART was also recently used to evaluate the effectiveness of different common laboratory gloves in preventing contamination of materials by permeating human sweat. 54 The study evaluated the permeation of human sweat and chemical standards through nitrile, polyethylene and latex gloves,…”

“…characterized 31 different disperse dyes in fabrics and single threads, comparing DART analysis with a liquid chromatography (LC)‐MS method to demonstrate DART as a suitable technique for dye differentiation 53 . DART was also recently used to evaluate the effectiveness of different common laboratory gloves in preventing contamination of materials by permeating human sweat 54 . The study evaluated the permeation of human sweat and chemical standards through nitrile, polyethylene and latex gloves, demonstrating polyethylene gloves exhibited the highest degree of permeation whereas double‐layered nitrile gloves offered the best protection.…”