Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) Ingredient Allergy Safety Information

Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and/or Mercapto Mix.

What is it?

Mercapto mix contains:

• Dibenzothiazyl disulfide

• Mecaptobenzothiazole

• Mopholinylmercaptobensothiazole

• N-cylohexylbenzothiazyl-sulfenamide

Mercapto mix thiazoles are used primarily in the production of rubber or latex products – both natural and synthetic rubber.

How can I avoid it?

Skin contact with Mercaptobenzothiazole or Mercapto mix is required for it to cause a rash. Discontinuation of exposure to products containing Mercaptobenzothiazole or Mercapto mix should result in improvement and/or resolution of your dermatitis. By law, all products made in the U.S. for topical use have the ingredients listed either on the product package or the box that contains it, so check the labeling. At work, request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure. It may be difficult to determine which rubber products contain MBT.

If you are allergic to Mercaptobenzothiazole and have foot dermatitis, it is probably due to your shoes. You may wear all-leather shoes with no inner or outer sole, like moccasins. Molded plastic shoes or wooden clogs can be worn. You can contact their local shoe stores and ask for U.S.-made, rubber-free shoes. If they cannot find such shoes, the insoles might be removed from leather shoes and insoles cut from piano felt, corks, or plastic inserted. Sweating should be minimized, and stockings that may have absorbed allergens should be discarded. If you have hand dermatitis you should avoid rubber (latex) gloves and if possible, wear vinyl gloves only. If you must wear rubber gloves, manufacturer should be contacted to acquire thiazole-free gloves.

Uses:

At work, you may find mercaptobenzothiazole in:

Industrial and safety products made with natural rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile or neoprene – such as boots, shoes, adhesives, plugs, goggles, mats, headphones, masks, respirators, aprons, gloves, cords, tubing, insulation, and sheeting
Office products made with natural rubber, nitrile or neoprene – such as rubber bands, erasers, mats, and utility gloves
Health care equipment made with natural rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile or neoprene – such as medical and utility gloves, masks, bed sheeting, dental dams, anesthesia equipment, aprons, and tubing
Sports equipment made with natural rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile or neoprene – such as wetsuits, shoes, boots, masks, racquet, and club handles

At home, you may find mercaptobenzothiazole in:

Household products made with natural rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile or neoprene – such as rubber bands, ear and headphones, masks, condoms and diaphragms, goggles, shoes, utility gloves, swimwear, toys, hoses, tubing, and elastic
Sports equipment made with natural rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile or neoprene – such as shoes, wetsuits, boots, masks, racquet, and club handles

Other uses: