Fig. 5

Prediction of the permeation risk of antineoplastic agents through nitrile medical gloves by zone classification. Zone classification of antineoplastic agents based on their molecular weights (MWs) and logarithm of octanol-water partition coefficient (LogP) values proposed to evaluate the risk of permeation through nitrile gloves is shown. The LogP and MW boundaries were set at − 1 and 500 Da, respectively, based on the appearance of the data plot. Each antineoplastic agent was plotted with a different symbol according to their permeation rates at 240 min (PR₂₄₀ values) (see keys in the figure). All “Zone A” (LogP ≥ − 1 and MW ≤500 Da) antineoplastic agents exhibited high PR₂₄₀ values that exceeded the upper limit (10 ng/min/cm²) determined according to the American Society of Testing and Materials D6978–05 guidelines. In contrast, the PR₂₄₀ values of antineoplastic agents classified in “Zone B” (LogP ≥ − 1 and MW > 500 Da) were lower than 10 ng/min/cm² (No detectable permeation was observed for doxorubicin). For oxaliplatin and cisplatin, which were classified in “Zone C” (LogP <− 1), no detectable permeation was observed 240 min after the start of the permeation experiments