Testing of short-term exposure to lubricants adjunctly applied to latex condoms concluded that oil-based personal lubricants have a significant deleterious effect on the strength of condoms. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, issued a report ("Condoms for Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Diseases," 1988) that recommends that only water-based lubricants should be used with a condom. Petroleum- or oil-based lubricants (such as petroleum jelly, cooking oils, shortening, and lotions) should not be used since they weaken the latex. This report indicates that use of oil-based lubricants that weaken latex may contribute to the failure of condoms to protect against STD. The effect of oil-based lubricants on condom performance was tested by CONSUMER REPORTS by using oil-based lubricants in airburst testing. In this test, at least half of the samples of each condom failed.
Therefore, in order to serve the public health, safety and welfare, the Board of Supervisors declares that the purpose of this Article is to educate the public by requiring that warning signs about oil-based lubricants be placed at all locations where personal lubricants are sold to the public.
(Added by Ord. 225-93, App. 7/16/93)