What is it?
Thiourea is used as a photographic fixing agent and stain remover. It is also used in rubber production, textiles processing, and as an antioxidant to prevent photocopy paper discoloration.
How can I avoid it?
Patients who are photoallergic to thiourea should avoid contact with photocopy paper and photographic developing. You should change to a non-thiourea-containing process. Although very unlikely, such patients may react to certain rubber products or adhesives agents and should be instructed to discuss any such problems with their health care providers. At work, request a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) to help identify potential sources of exposure.
Uses:
- Additive to fertilizers
- Architectural and printing plans
- Dyes
- Elastic in underwear
- Explosives
- Flame retardant for textiles
- Fungicides
- Insoles
- Neoprene rubber
- Pesticides
- Photocopy paper (diazo)
- Photography – fixing agent
- Resins
- Rubber accelerator
- Silver polish
- Textile processing
- Weather stripping material
Other names for thiourea:
- Alkylated thioureas
- Diethylthiourea (DTU)
- Dimethylthiourea (DMTU)
- Diphenylthiourea (DPTU)
- Ethylbutylthiourea (EBTU)
- Ethylenethiourea (ETU)
- Isothiourea
- Solourea
- Thiocarbamide
- Thiurea
- THU