Survey and health assesment of thiourea compounds in chloroprene rubber

Chloroprene rubber, which is also known as “neoprene”, is a synthetic rubber that is used for both technical and consumer products. The main application areas are water sports products and bandages. According to the literature, a number of thiourea compunds are used as accelerators in the manufacturing of chloroprene rubber products.  Six of these have been identified as potentially giving rise to allergic reactions.  DETU was present in concentrations of 33 to 720 mg/kg in 10 of the 14 examined products and is of the same magnitude as the concentrations in products that are demonstrated to cause contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals.