Rubber chemicals are added to natural rubber during the production of rubber products to provide elasticity and durability.
The rubber chemicals, in the form of molecules, are absorbed by the skin and may lead to contact allergy.
Rubber chemicals are also called
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Thiurams
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Carbamates
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Mercapto
Rubber chemicals are in all rubber products and to a lesser extent in some synthetic rubber materials, but not in vinyl, polythene or nylon.
The most usual cause of allergy to rubber chemicals is frequent and prolonged use of protective rubber gloves or rubber footwear.
In black rubber other additives are used as well, because these products often need great durability and strength, for example tires. These additives may also cause allergies.
The substance IPPD (N-isopropyl-N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine) is used either alone or mixed with other similar substances (black rubber mix) to detect this type of allergy.
