R. M. Adams
Aug 1, 1975
Citations
0
Influential Citations
11
Citations
Journal
Contact Dermatitis
Abstract
Since the mid-1920's, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, (fig. 1) the chief representative of the thiazole group of rubber accelerators, has been the most widely used accelerator in the vulcanization of both natural and synthetic rubber. That it is also the principal contact allergic sensitizer in rubber has been pointed out by numerous dermatologists, beginning in the early 1950's. In 1969, Fregert studied the cross-sensitization pattern of mercaptobenzothiazole in 12 patients, and concluded that the combination of a benzene and thiazole ring, with a thiol group in the two positions, was critical in the molecular requirements for cross-sensitization.