Description
Mercaptobenzothiazole is a rubber chemical, an accelerant of vulcanization. It is frequently found in shoes but is sometimes detected in rubber gloves. It is contained in the "mercapto mix." The most frequent occupational categories are the metal industry, homemakers, health services and laboratories, building industries, and shoemakers. It is also a corrosion inhibitor in cutting or releasing fluids used in the pottery industry.
Uses
Mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) chemical is used in the vulcanization of rubber. Using mercaptobenzothiazole, rubber vulcanizes with less sulfur and at milder temperatures. Both factors give a stronger product. Mercaptobenzothiazole is used as a cooling tower biocide. MBT chemical has also been used in the gold-mining industry to “float” the gold from ore residue as part of the extraction process. 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole (also known as Mercaptobenzothiazole) is a Hemi-ultra accelerator extensively used in the vulcanization of natural and synthetic rubbers. It is mainly used to manufacture rubber tires, rubber belts, rubber shoes, and other technical rubber goods. In addition, 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole is also used to prepare pesticide fungicides, nitrogenous fertilizer synergists, cutting oil and lubricating additives, photographic chemistry in the machine anti ash agent, metal corrosion inhibitors, etc. It is also a reagent used in chemical analysis. This product is an effective copper or copper alloy corrosion inhibitor. When the cooling system contains copper equipment and raw water contains a certain amount of copper ions, it can be added to prevent copper corrosion. 2-mercaptobenzothiazole is also an intermediate of the herbicide benzothiachlor.
Health effects
The most frequent occupational categories are the metal industry, homemakers, health services and laboratories, building industries, and shoemakers. Mercaptobenzothiazole is the rubber allergen most likely responsible for allergic contact dermatitis affecting the hands and feet. A predisposing occupation may be mechanics and machinists, who are exposed to mercaptobenzothiazole in corrosion-inhibiting fluids. Nitrile gloves are often provided to protect the worker from these fluids, and the gloves themselves often contain mercaptobenzothiazole. Sensitized workers may then develop shoe dermatitis from mercpatobenzothiazole in work boots or athletic shoes.
