Firearms emit a complex mixture of inorganic and organic compounds that pose health risks. These compounds, or gunshot residues (GSRs), must be removed from the firearm to assure its proper function and for the safety of the user. Cleaning requires the use of gun cleaning solvents (GCSs) and manufacturers recommend appropriate protective gloves be worn while using GCSs. However, no research has previously been conducted to investigate the permeation of these solvents through disposable nitrile gloves. GCSs are generally complex mixtures that contain both polar and non-polar components, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry reveals over 100 compounds present in some GCSs. This presentation will highlight the unique challenge of selecting proper gloves for use with technical grade mixtures, including an overview of permeation and permeation testing, and the methods and results of GCS and GSR permeation tests.
Presenter
Travis Cribbs, Doctoral Student
Travis Cribbs is a doctoral student at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health Environmental Health Sciences Department and Industrial Hygiene. His research interests include the permeation of gun shot residues and gun cleaning solvents through protective clothing material, exposure assessments and mitigation of lead and other gunshot residues in shooters, both occupationally and recreationally, the development of novel permeation testing methods that better reflect permeation expected in real world scenarios, and public perceptions of firearm legislation. He enjoys hiking and camping with his family in National and State Parks throughout the United States.