Permeation of metallic gunshot residues in a commercial gun cleaning solvent through a disposable nitrile glove

Gunshot residue (GSR) accumulates in firearms and must be removed mechanically and with gun cleaning solvent (GCS). There are no peer review journal publications on what gloves might be resistant to GSR being cleaned with a GCS. The aim was to fill the data gap. Methods. A Kimtech Science Blue disposable nitrile glove was challenged in triplicate by dissolved GSR of diameters less than 125 micrometers in a popular GCS with permeates collected in n-decane at 35 °C in a ASTM F739-20 glass permeation cell with no collection side recirculation. Samples from the collection and challenger sides and permeated glove pieces were analyzed for metals by solvent evaporation, concentrated acid digestion and then inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. Results. Lead, copper and barium GSR compounds permeated between 240 min and 480 min, also being detected within the permeated glove material. The GSR concentrations in mg/g were lead 86.8 ± 0.2, copper 96.4 ± 0.2, and barium 0.622 ± 0.012. Conclusion. A practical and inexpensive method to resist the toxic elements in GSR in a popular GCS for at least 4 hours was to wear a disposable Kimtech Science Blue nitrile glove of average thickness 143-148 µm. More gloves, GCS and GSR should be tested.