Abstract
The rubber accelerator 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT), a recognized contact sensitizer, has not been adequately investigated as a pure chemical. Petrolatum, the usual patch test vehicle, is much less effective than polyethylene glycol; therefore, it may miss some sensitivities. Derivatives of MBT with disulfide linkage are likely to be much more sensitizing than MBT itself. Some reactions to MBT may be caused by cross-sensitization or by a contaminant material as commercial MBT is contaminated with its dimer dibenzothiazyl disulfide, which may be even more sensitizing. Mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and teratogenicity have been found in some studies of MBT using in vitro tissue cultures and laboratory animals. MBT is commonly used for domestic rubber products, which could be a problem as chronic exposure may predispose even thicker skin to absorption. Obviously, more data is needed on the absorption and toxicity of MPT as well as alternate rubber chemicals.
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