[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":237},["ShallowReactive",2],{"ingredient-2-mercaptobenzothiazole":3},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"category":191,"commonProducts":192,"description":197,"extension":198,"icon":199,"inciName":5,"irritantReason":200,"isCommonIrritant":201,"keyFacts":202,"localNames":212,"meta":213,"navigation":214,"path":215,"relatedArticles":216,"seo":223,"severity":224,"slug":225,"stem":226,"subtitle":227,"symptoms":228,"synonyms":233,"__hash__":236},"ingredients/learn/ingredients/2-mercaptobenzothiazole.md","2-Mercaptobenzothiazole",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":181},"minimark",[9,14,21,24,31,35,38,41,69,73,78,98,103,123,127,130,141,145,148,151,155],[10,11,13],"h2",{"id":12},"what-is-2-mercaptobenzothiazole","What is 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole?",[15,16,17,20],"p",{},[18,19,5],"strong",{}," (abbreviation: MBT; trade name: Captax) is a sulfur-containing heterocyclic compound used as a rubber vulcanization accelerator and as an industrial biocide. In rubber manufacturing, it facilitates cross-linking of rubber polymers during the vulcanization process. In industrial applications, it acts as a corrosion inhibitor and biocide in metalworking fluids, cooling systems, and some adhesive formulations.",[15,22,23],{},"MBT belongs to the benzothiazole chemical class, which is distinct from the thiuram and carbamate classes. It is a standard component of shoe-material contact dermatitis patch test panels and is included in the ACDS and European Standard Series for rubber chemical allergy screening.",[15,25,26,27,30],{},"The compound gained particular clinical significance through its association with ",[18,28,29],{},"shoe contact dermatitis"," — a condition where rubber chemicals in shoe materials (outsoles, insoles, adhesives used in shoe construction) leach through to contact foot skin, particularly under sweaty, occluded conditions.",[10,32,34],{"id":33},"why-does-2-mercaptobenzothiazole-cause-reactions","Why does 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole cause reactions?",[15,36,37],{},"MBT sensitizes through Type IV delayed hypersensitivity. Its thiol (-SH) functional group is chemically reactive and can form disulfide bonds with cysteine residues in skin proteins, creating hapten-protein conjugates that the immune system recognizes and responds to.",[15,39,40],{},"Key clinical aspects:",[42,43,44,51,57,63],"ul",{},[45,46,47,50],"li",{},[18,48,49],{},"Shoe contact pattern",": MBT causes a characteristic bilateral symmetrical foot dermatitis that follows shoe coverage — dorsum of feet, toe spaces, and sometimes the plantar surface",[45,52,53,56],{},[18,54,55],{},"Summer exacerbation",": Hot weather increases foot sweating, which accelerates MBT leaching from shoe rubber, leading to seasonal worsening",[45,58,59,62],{},[18,60,61],{},"Occupational exposure",": Metal workers and automotive industry workers may be exposed to MBT through industrial cooling fluids — a distinct exposure route from shoe contact",[45,64,65,68],{},[18,66,67],{},"Cross-reactivity",": MBT may cross-react with other benzothiazole derivatives and with dibenzothiazyl disulfide (MBTS), another rubber accelerator formed by oxidation of MBT",[10,70,72],{"id":71},"where-is-2-mercaptobenzothiazole-found","Where is 2-Mercaptobenzothiazole found?",[15,74,75],{},[18,76,77],{},"In consumer products:",[42,79,80,86,92],{},[45,81,82,85],{},[18,83,84],{},"Rubber-soled shoes",": The most important source; present in both outsoles and insoles",[45,87,88,91],{},[18,89,90],{},"Athletic footwear",": Running shoes, sports shoes with significant rubber components",[45,93,94,97],{},[18,95,96],{},"Some adhesives",": Rubber-based adhesives used in shoe construction",[15,99,100],{},[18,101,102],{},"In industrial/occupational contexts:",[42,104,105,111,117],{},[45,106,107,110],{},[18,108,109],{},"Metalworking coolant fluids",": Corrosion inhibitor in water-based cutting fluids",[45,112,113,116],{},[18,114,115],{},"Cooling tower water treatment",": Biocide component",[45,118,119,122],{},[18,120,121],{},"Rubber industry manufacturing",": Occupational exposure for production workers",[10,124,126],{"id":125},"how-to-identify-mbt-exposure","How to identify MBT exposure",[15,128,129],{},"Since MBT is not labeled on consumer products:",[42,131,132,135,138],{},[45,133,134],{},"Note the bilateral, symmetrical pattern of foot dermatitis corresponding to shoe coverage",[45,136,137],{},"Observe improvement when wearing open sandals or going barefoot",[45,139,140],{},"Patch test at a contact dermatitis clinic using the MBT test concentration and, if possible, pieces of the actual shoe material",[10,142,144],{"id":143},"in-indian-products","In Indian products 🇮🇳",[15,146,147],{},"Rubber-soled footwear is nearly universal in India across all demographics — from inexpensive rubber chappals to athletic shoes to synthetic leather shoes with rubber outsoles. MBT-containing rubber is used in Indian-manufactured footwear as well as imported athletic footwear. The hot and humid Indian climate, combined with the common practice of wearing enclosed rubber-soled shoes for long periods, creates conditions particularly conducive to MBT leaching and skin contact.",[15,149,150],{},"Indian dermatologists managing persistent bilateral foot dermatitis — especially in patients who do not respond to antifungal treatment (ruling out tinea pedis) — should consider shoe contact dermatitis and MBT as potential causes. Patch testing with MBT is available at specialized contact dermatitis clinics in major Indian cities.",[10,152,154],{"id":153},"safer-alternatives","Safer alternatives",[42,156,157,163,169,175],{},[45,158,159,162],{},[18,160,161],{},"Open leather sandals",": Reduce shoe-to-skin rubber contact dramatically",[45,164,165,168],{},[18,166,167],{},"Cotton socks",": Create a barrier between shoe rubber and skin",[45,170,171,174],{},[18,172,173],{},"MBT-free footwear",": Shoes with non-rubber soles (natural leather or polyurethane) or those specifically certified rubber-accelerator-free",[45,176,177,180],{},[18,178,179],{},"Sandals over closed shoes",": For sensitized individuals, switching to open sandals during warm months addresses seasonal exacerbation",{"title":182,"searchDepth":183,"depth":183,"links":184},"",2,[185,186,187,188,189,190],{"id":12,"depth":183,"text":13},{"id":33,"depth":183,"text":34},{"id":71,"depth":183,"text":72},{"id":125,"depth":183,"text":126},{"id":143,"depth":183,"text":144},{"id":153,"depth":183,"text":154},"rubber_accelerator",[193,194,195,196],"Rubber shoes","Adhesives","Some cooling fluids","Industrial rubber articles","A benzothiazole rubber accelerator and biocide found in shoes, adhesives, and industrial products. A leading cause of shoe dermatitis globally and a standard ACDS patch test allergen.","md","🧤",null,false,[203,206,209],{"label":204,"value":205},"Shoe dermatitis","MBT is one of the most frequently identified causes of shoe contact dermatitis in global patch test databases",{"label":207,"value":208},"Dual use","Used both as a rubber accelerator (in shoe manufacturing) and as a biocide/corrosion inhibitor in industrial cooling fluids — creating both consumer and occupational exposure routes",{"label":210,"value":211},"ACDS standard","Part of the ACDS standard patch test panel; also in European Standard Series for rubber allergen screening",[],{},true,"/learn/ingredients/2-mercaptobenzothiazole",[217,220],{"slug":218,"title":219},"/learn/patch-test-results-now-what","Patch Test Results: Now What?",{"slug":221,"title":222},"/learn/patch-test-shopping-guide","Patch Test Shopping Guide",{"title":5,"description":197},"moderate","2-mercaptobenzothiazole","learn/ingredients/2-mercaptobenzothiazole","A rubber accelerator and biocide — a leading cause of shoe contact dermatitis",[229,230,231,232],"Shoe contact dermatitis (foot dorsum, toe spaces)","Hand dermatitis from rubber-handled equipment","Occupational dermatitis in rubber industry workers","Bilateral foot rash matching shoe coverage",[234,235],"MBT","Captax","uhUxKlNl77abzZY0A1NWtfij7nA8waPc1npuiLzMXKw",1778416676499]