Suture contamination by surface powders on surgical gloves.

Recent studies have shown that many glove manufacturers still are using talc as a glove-mold release agent. The removal of talc particles from the patient-contact side of the gloves is difficult and incomplete with the use of recommended washing and wiping procedures. As a result, a shedding hazard exists that may ultimately be related to granulomatous reactions. In our study, shedding was demonstrated to be hazardous because of suture contamination with talc particles.