Lack of latex porosity: a review of virus barrier tests

Lytle C. D., . and Routson Licia B., . Lack of latex porosity: a review of virus barrier tests. pp. 29-39. ISSN 1511-1768

Evidence regarding whether latex films as found in condoms and medical gloves are effective barriers to virus passage is reviewed together with new data from additional tests. The primary focus was to determine whether latex films are porous as opposed to having occasional defects. The published and new evidence from studies using viruses are consistent only with the presence of occasional defects and are not consistent with porosity sufficient to allow virus passage. However quality control of manufactured products based on acceptable quality levels using standardised tests does not guarantee that every sample is perfect. The risk of a specific product is related to the defect rate the use situation and the disease of interest in particular the quantity of virus-carrying fluid needed to constitute an infectious dose. The possibility of latex film hydration leading to porosity to virus passage was also found to be unlikely and not supported by data.

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Abstract

Evidence regarding whether latex films as found in condoms and medical gloves are effective barriers to virus passage is reviewed together with new data from additional tests. The primary focus was to determine whether latex films are porous as opposed to having occasional defects. The published and new evidence from studies using viruses are consistent only with the presence of occasional defects and are not consistent with porosity sufficient to allow virus passage. However quality control of manufactured products based on acceptable quality levels using standardised tests does not guarantee that every sample is perfect. The risk of a specific product is related to the defect rate the use situation and the disease of interest in particular the quantity of virus-carrying fluid needed to constitute an infectious dose. The possibility of latex film hydration leading to porosity to virus passage was also found to be unlikely and not supported by data.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Latex
AGROVOC Term:	Manufactured products
AGROVOC Term:	Porosity
AGROVOC Term:	Hydration
AGROVOC Term:	Leaching
AGROVOC Term:	Product quality
AGROVOC Term:	Processed products
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 06:28
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/23288

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