Total and leachable concentration of halogens and sulfur in latex gloves using Combustion IC and a leach test

Significance of the Topic

In high‐purity environments such as semiconductor cleanrooms and nuclear power plants, latex gloves must not introduce corrosive or reactive species. Halogen and sulfur residues can compromise sensitive processes, equipment integrity, and regulatory compliance. Reliable quantification of total and leachable halogens and sulfur is therefore essential for material qualification and quality assurance.

Objectives and Study Overview

This study aimed to quantify both the total content and the leachable fraction of halogens (fluoride, chloride) and sulfur (as sulfate) in latex glove material. Total concentrations were determined by combustion ionic chromatography (Combustion IC), while a standardized leach test in ultrapure water assessed potential migration of ions under use conditions.

Methodology and Instrumentation

Sample preparation integrated inline preconcentration and matrix elimination (MiPCT-ME) to remove interfering organics prior to analysis. For total content, glove samples were combusted in an oxygen stream at 900 °C (inlet) and 1000 °C (outlet), with absorption of combustion products in hydrogen peroxide–phosphate solution. For leachable analysis, 0.5 g of glove material was immersed in 200 mL ultrapure water, stirred, and injected after inline cleanup.
Chromatographic separation employed Metrosep A Supp 5 and PCC 1 HC columns for combustion IC and Metrosep A Supp 16 for leach testing. Eluents were based on sodium carbonate/bicarbonate mixtures, with a suppressor regenerant of sulfuric acid. Key operating conditions included 0.7–0.8 mL/min flow rates, 100–2000 µL injection volumes, and a column temperature of 30–35 °C over a 20 min run.

Used Instrumentation

• 881 Compact IC pro – Anion – MCS (Metrohm, 2.881.0030)
• IC Conductivity Detector (2.850.9010)
• 800 Dosino dosing units (2.800.0010), 2× for leach test
• Remote box (6.2148.010)
• Mitsubishi AQF-100, ABC-100, WS-100, GA-100 for gas and water supply

Main Results and Discussion

Total analysis showed chloride at 0.6 g/kg (RSD 4.4 %) and sulfate at 7.3 g/kg (RSD 4.7 %); fluoride, nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate were below detection. The leach test revealed 28.9 mg/kg chloride and 6.2 mg/kg sulfate, with trace nitrite (0.2 mg/kg), nitrate (0.9 mg/kg), and phosphate (0.3 mg/kg). These data demonstrate that while overall halogen content is low, a measurable fraction can migrate under aqueous conditions, critical for applications with stringent ionic purity requirements.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Comprehensive assessment of glove materials for regulated environments
• Assurance of low corrosive species release in sensitive processes
• Inline cleanup reduces sample handling and improves reproducibility

Future Trends and Opportunities

Advances may include miniaturized combustion cells for lower sample mass, direct coupling to mass spectrometry for speciation of halogenated by-products, and automation of leach testing protocols. Expanding this approach to other polymeric materials can broaden quality control across medical, pharmaceutical, and electronics industries.

Conclusion

The combined Combustion IC and leach test methodology delivers robust, reproducible quantification of total and leachable halogens and sulfur in latex gloves. This approach supports material qualification in environments where ionic contaminants must be strictly controlled.

Reference

• Metrohm Application Note CIC-004, Version 2: Total and leachable concentration of halogens and sulfur in latex gloves using Combustion IC and a leach test.