Abstract: A person's skin is protected from percutaneous absorption of lipophilic or semi-polar contaminant chemicals by applying to the skin, before the skin is wetted with water, a plural-constituent solvent system having an average molecular weight greater than or equal to 350 and including at least one solvent in which the contaminant chemicals are soluble. The solvent system may be applied to the skin before exposure to serve as a barrier, or may be applied to the skin or other surface after exposure to serve as a cleanser. The solvent system may include one or more emulsifiers and/or reactive chemical deactivation agents, and/or organic pH modifiers, and/or UV blockers, and/or insect repellents. Oil-based and glycol-based solvent systems are disclosed, each having at least two solvents which may have different solubility ranges. The solvent system includes no water, emollients or detergents and all constituents are skin-safe.

Abstract: A person's skin is protected from percutaneous absorption of lipophilic or semi-polar contaminant chemicals by applying to the skin a plural-constituent solvent system, wherein each constituent has a molecular weight greater than or equal to 350 and includes at least one solvent in which the contaminant chemicals are soluble. The solvent system may include one or more emulsifiers to facilitate water-rinsing of the solvent system and any dissolved contaminant chemicals from the skin. Oil-based and glycol-based solvent systems are disclosed, each having at least two solvents which may have different solubility ranges. The solvent system may be applied to the skin before exposure to contaminant chemicals to serve as a barrier or after exposure to serve as s cleanser. The solvent system includes no water, emollients or detergents and all constituents are skin-safe.

Abstract: A detection device for testing gloves or other protective clothing or equipment for breakthrough by a contaminant includes a pad carrying a reagent which is responsive to the contaminant for producing a color change. A barrier layer covers the reverse side of the pad to prevent escape of chemicals therefrom and an adhesive strip is secured to the barrier layer for attachment of the pad either to the skin of the user or to the inside of the glove or other clothing so that the obverse side of the pad is adjacent to the inside of the glove. In one embodiment the pad is impregnated with the reagent which directly reacts with the contaminant to produce a color change. In another embodiment, plural reagents are carried respectively in separate regions of the pad and, after exposure to the contaminant, a carrier solvent is applied to the pad which brings the reagents into intimate contact for cooperation to produce the color change.

Abstract: An absorbent collection strip has attached thereto a detection strip impregnated with a reagent to respectively form collection and detection regions of an integral pad. A dermal surface is wiped with the collection region to remove a contaminant of interest therefrom and collect it on the collection region, which is then wetted with a solvent which has a selective affinity for the contaminant. The solvent carries the contaminant or a reaction product thereof by capillary action through the collection region to the detection region where it reacts with the reagent to produce a color change which indicates the presence of the contaminant. The collection region may also be impregnated with a substance for either facilitating removal of the contaminant from the dermal surface or for cooperation with the reagent in producing the color reaction. The solvent may be either inert to the reagent or may cooperate with it in producing the color reaction.