Diphenylthiourea (DPTU)
What is it?
Diphenyl thiourea is an accelerator and activator for neoprene rubber and ethylene-propyline-diene terpolymers for the improvement of the flowing properties of the starting materials in the production of rubber.
How can I avoid it?
Skin contact with diphenyl thiourea is required for it to cause a rash. Discontinuation of exposure to products containing diphenyl thiourea should result in improvement and/or resolution of your dermatitis. By law, all products made in the U.S. for topical use have ingredients listed either on the product package or the box that contains it, so check the labeling of ingredients in your products.
At work, request a Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure.
Patients who are photoallergic to thiourea should either avoid contact with photocopy paper and photographic developing or should change to a non-thiourea containing process. Although very unlikely, such patients may react to certain rubber products or adhesive agents and should discuss any such problems with their physician.
Uses:
- Accelerator/activator for neoprene rubber and ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers
- Wet suits
- Goggles
- Knee braces
- Gloves
- Insoles
- Weather stripping
- Adhesives and adhesive tape
- Anticorrosive agents
- Dry cleaning chemicals
- Flame retardants
- Heat stabilizer in PVC adhesive tape backing
- Additive in the production of polyvinylchloride synthetic materials (PVC)
- Orthopedic braces
- Photocopy paper
- Fixing agent in photography
- Pesticides and fungicides
- Production of sulphur colors
- Textiles
- Pharmaceuticals (thiazole drugs – eg, antiseptics)
Other names for Diphenyl thiourea:
- DPTU
- N,N-Diphenylthiourea
- Thiocarbanilide
- 1,3-diphenylthiourea
- S-diphenylthiocarbamide
- Sulfocarbanilide
- 1.3-Diphenyl-2-thiourea
- Piphenylsulfourea
Potential cross-reacting/co-reacting substances:
- Carbanates
- Thiuram
