Medical-grade gloves are a vital piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) for many professional environments. Though most often used in healthcare settings, disposable medical gloves are also necessary for caregivers, food handlers, dentists and other professionals. Wherever health and sanitation are top concerns, protective gloves are essential. They help stop the spread of germs and viruses, promoting the safety of both employees and those they serve.
If you need disposable gloves for your professional environment, choosing the best possible kind of glove is critical. You&#;ll need to understand the difference between various disposable glove types. Not all gloves are the same &#; different materials, strength levels and other features lend themselves to distinct purposes. Below, we&#;ll discuss the 10 most important considerations for stocking up on gloves.
Only some disposable gloves qualify as medical gloves. To fit the medical-grade description, disposable gloves must meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quality assurance guidelines. These guidelines ensure all gloves used in medical settings are durable and reliable, not flimsy or brittle. For patient examinations, gloves must have an acceptable quality level (AQL) no higher than 2.5. That rating means no more than 2.5% of the gloves in a batch can have defects. These gloves are non-sterile &#; sterile gloves must have an even lower AQL measure.
Manufacturers have to keep up with stringent testing measures to achieve a score of 2.5 or lower. Gloves with an AQL higher than 4 or 5 are only acceptable for mechanical or industrial purposes. Rigorous AQL standards require glove manufacturers to employ uncompromising quality control. The AQL scoring guide helps ensure gloves used for medical purposes are without defects. Tears or other lapses in quality could leave healthcare professionals and their patients vulnerable to pathogens or other contaminants.
Depending on your application, you&#;ll have to decide on an acceptable AQL rating. You may be able to find industry standards, but if not, opt for lower AQL numbers for the best quality disposable gloves. Keep in mind, doctors use gloves with AQL scores of 2.5 or lower during patient examinations. A similar score would likely suffice for your environment unless you need them for surgical purposes.
Disposable gloves with an acceptable AQL rating come in a variety of materials. One of the first things you should consider is your glove material preference. Different glove materials are useful for different purposes, so it&#;s a good idea to learn about the available options before making a bulk purchase.
Nitrile gloves are one of the best alternatives to latex gloves, offering a longer average shelf life. Standard nitrile gloves are an ideal non-sterile option. A powder-free, latex-free nitrile glove is resistant to chemicals, oils and acids. Nitrile&#;s strength makes these gloves tough and helps them stay puncture-free, even when worn for extended periods. If latex allergies are an issue, nitrile gloves offer a flexible, touch-sensitive alternative. You can buy bulk orders of nitrile gloves in a variety of colors and sizes.
Latex is a comfortable, inexpensive glove option suitable for most medical environments. They&#;ve been a staple of many healthcare facilities since the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic of the s. With that said, latex allergies are common. There&#;s a high likelihood someone in your organization or someone you serve will have a latex allergy. If you&#;re purchasing gloves for widespread use, you might consider a material less likely to cause allergic reactions, such as nitrile or vinyl. Latex also has a short shelf life compared to other materials.
Another option is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) glove. PVC is a common synthetic plastic polymer. Since they&#;re easy to mass-produce, these gloves are one of the least expensive options. They&#;re also less durable than other glove types, and they offer limited hazard protection. For that reason, PVC gloves are best suited for low-hazard applications. In some cases, a nitrile-vinyl blend glove may be the best choice for affordability and durability.
For most applications, one of the above-listed materials will suffice. Here are a few other material choices you might consider for latex-free medical gloves:
For a glove to have a &#;sterile&#; rating, it must meet strict FDA guidelines. Sterile medical gloves are acceptable for surgical purposes, so they must have the best possible AQL ratings. Sterile gloves must have an acceptable quality level of 1.5 or lower. As mentioned above, examination gloves can have an AQL as high as 2.5, so sterile gloves can be considered even safer. Because their manufacture requires strict testing, sterile gloves may have a higher price.
Though the term &#;non-sterile&#; may sound concerning, non-sterile gloves with an AQL of 2.5 or lower are acceptable for any non-surgical purposes. Using non-sterile gloves in non-surgical settings is safe and reduces the risk of disease transmission. Most healthcare workers use non-sterile gloves for patient examination purposes.
Non-sterile gloves work well for other applications, as well. If you&#;re looking for disposable gloves for routine cleaning, food service, caregiving or other purposes, non-sterile gloves should be fine. It&#;s vital to decide on an acceptable AQL rating for your purposes.
You may come across powdered and non-powdered glove options. Powdered gloves feature cornstarch coatings, which makes them easier to put on and prevents them from sticking together. Though this can improve convenience, the FDA has banned powdered gloves for surgery and patient examination purposes.
According to the FDA, the risks of powdered gloves in medical settings outweigh the benefits. The powder can cling to the wearer&#;s skin, causing irritation, inflammation or allergic reactions. It can also cause surgical complications involving peritoneal adhesions, which are a type of bond between a person&#;s organs. Though the ban does not yet extend to food service applications, loose cornstarch from powdered gloves may cause food contamination. In most instances, a non-powdered glove is a preferable choice.
You should also consider glove thickness. Thicker gloves provide a stronger protective barrier. They also better resist tears, allowing for a longer wear time. A heavy-duty, industrial-grade glove will offer more thickness than a lighter, thinner glove.
With that said, a thicker glove may dull touch sensitivity, which isn&#;t ideal in certain settings. If your application requires a high level of touch sensitivity, you might opt for thinner gloves made from a durable material, such as nitrile. When browsing glove options, look for thickness measurements in mils.
Certain situations call for a high level of tactile or touch sensitivity. For instance, a surgeon needs unimpaired touch sensitivity to perform surgery with the necessary precision and accuracy. Tactile-sensitive gloves made of a lightweight material will allow for precision levels similar to an ungloved hand. Sensitivity may also be necessary for a number of applications, including food preparation, electronic handling and pharmaceuticals.
You should also consider glove comfort and fit, including various size options. Depending on your application, your staff may need to wear gloves while performing complex tasks. They may also need to wear their gloves for extended periods. It&#;s vital to choose comfortable gloves &#; an uncomfortable glove may hinder someone&#;s ability to perform their necessary responsibilities.
Size options are an essential consideration. If a glove is too small, it may cause irritability or limit blood circulation to the wearer&#;s hand, making the fit distracting and uncomfortable. A too-small glove is more likely to tear, as well, compromising its protective barrier.
If a glove is too large, other concerns may arise. Loose space between the glove and the wearer&#;s skin may leave the wearer vulnerable to pathogens. A glove that&#;s too big is also likely to fall off, causing a significant contamination concern. When buying gloves, be sure to acquire several sizes, at least small, medium and large.
Tensile strength refers to a material&#;s resistance to breaking when stretched or pulled. Gloves with higher tensile strength ratings are more tear-resistant. Nitrile and latex are both materials with high tensile strength ratings &#; you can tug and pull on them quite a bit before they&#;ll start to tear. Since a tear would compromise a glove&#;s protection, tensile strength is essential. It&#;s an important measurement to acknowledge, especially for applications requiring hand dexterity.
Though you may not think twice about glove color, it can make a notable difference. You may choose to color code your gloves so staff can easily differentiate between various glove types. For instance, you might choose blue for latex gloves and black for non-latex gloves, so those with a latex allergy will have no trouble selecting the non-latex gloves. If you need both sterile and non-sterile gloves, color coding could again be useful.
Certain glove colors also make tears more apparent. If you wear a dark-colored glove on top of a light-colored glove, tears will be easy to identify. You can then change gloves as soon as possible after a tear, minimizing contamination risks.
You may wonder whether or not double-gloving offers more protection than wearing a single glove. According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH), double-gloving is an effective way to protect the wearer from pathogens and other harmful substances. They found that while glove perforations were common, there were no instances of inner double-glove perforation. The NIH recommends double-gloving as a routine practice for operating rooms.
Standardizing double-gloving may help you promote your staff&#;s safety and wellbeing. Should you choose to do so, you may need to store greater quantities of gloves. It&#;s a good idea to order gloves in bulk amounts for this purpose.
The final factor you should consider is a glove&#;s shelf life. Buying disposable gloves in bulk will ensure you always have gloves available when needed &#; but it may also mean some gloves sit unused for extended periods. A glove&#;s shelf life depends most on its material. Nitrile gloves last longer than any other material. You should always check the manufacturer&#;s guidelines, but most nitrile gloves will last in their original packaging for several years.
In most cases, it&#;s easy to tell if a glove is compromised. A compromised glove may have surface cracks or feel brittle to the touch. Always wear gloves with normal tensile strength and durability, and keep careful track of how long your gloves have sat on the shelf.
Proper storage can help make gloves last longer. For short or long-term glove storage, you should keep gloves:
When deciding where to store your gloves, opt for a cool, dark environment. In most cases, a shelf in a secluded closet will do fine. Proper storage will help you extend your gloves&#; shelf life, saving you time and money long-term and minimizing waste.
Choosing the right gloves for your application can make your environment safer, healthier and more productive. When shopping for new disposable gloves, consider several factors &#; the material, AQL, durability, comfort, dexterity, color and additional features. Each of these factors is significant. Once you&#;ve chosen the right gloves for you, be sure to purchase as many as you may need and follow best storage practices.
Reliable PPE, including gloves, masks, gowns and hand sanitizer, is vital for many settings. It can help prevent the spread of germs and viruses and reduce the risk of contamination. If you&#;re looking for the highest-rated PPE, choose SUNLINE Supply. Here at SUNLINE Supply, we offer affordable prices, convenient bulk buying options and fast shipping for all your occupational PPE needs. If you have any questions about our top-quality PPE products, contact us today.
Buying gloves is becoming difficult as there are numerous different options available to suit different needs.
Gloves come in many materials like latex, nitrile, and vinyl.
Before we discuss Nitrile gloves more and why they have become so popular, let us see the different types of gloves and their special features.
Medical or industrial gloves use different fabrics and materials. Some of these are &#;
Latex Gloves: The gloves contain natural rubber and have been around for a long time.
They are very flexible and very comfortable. They fit snugly and hence, do not hinder sensitivity for the wearer.
They create a barrier against bacteria and viruses and are waterproof to a great extent.
They were very popular and possibly the only choice until the advent of polymer or plastic gloves.
Vinyl Gloves: The gloves contain a synthetic polymer that is cost-effective and comfortable.
Some people also call it synthetic rubber.
It protects from chemicals, fluids, and germs to a large extent, but so far, this is less effective than Nitrile gloves.
Nitrile Gloves: The gloves contain synthetic polymer material.
Stretchy and comfortable, these gloves are also durable against stress and long work hours in different industries.
The gloves are successful in providing a barrier to chemicals and biological germs.
This is the more popular choice of material these days.
Why are Latex gloves losing their place in the market?
Due to their amazing protective features, Latex gloves have been popular for a long time.
But their utility value cannot overcome the fact that people have allergic reactions to the rubber proteins present in them.
The latex gloves also have a coating of powder, which may trigger sensitive reactions in some people.
Healthcare providers often prefer Latex gloves due to their wonderful protection, elasticity, and snug-fitting.
Surgeons also find them very convenient for surgeries and delicate procedures.
But slowly, the awareness about allergies and their triggers is percolating to everyone, and people have become more careful about the same.
Now they would rather opt for a better solution in polymer gloves than the allergy trigger.
They don&#;t want any patient or co-worker to suffer due to a careless choice of rubber gloves.
The nitrile and vinyl gloves provide convenient options for people across industries and not just the medical sector.
Vinyl gloves are cheap and disposable. PVC- Polyvinyl chloride is a synthetic substitute with many characteristics like rubber.
The material is not very durable as it can tear easily and is not as stretchy as latex or nitrile.
It does protect against chemicals, but it is not too effective against germs.
Nitrile gloves come out a winner here too.
The material resembles latex due to its stretchiness and is very durable, and does not tear easily.
It is slightly more expensive than the vinyl gloves and yet provides more protection against chemicals, bacteria, and other minute germs.
If you compare all the different types of gloves, you&#;ll see that nitrile gloves are the best option for people across industries.
Disposable gloves contain synthetic materials that replace natural rubber.
Nitrile is a chemical compound or a polymer that contains a chain of molecules that form a strong bond providing durability and other qualities.
The nitrile material is available in many colors, though we find blue gloves the most common.
Manufacturers combine acrylonitrile and butadiene to create this polymer. Initially, it was an alternative to latex at the time of its launch and was very expensive to make. Now the technology is better, and it has become very affordable and easy to make these gloves.
Its special features make it very popular. It protects hands against chemicals, but it can also react with certain acids being a synthetic material.
It is a safe option for use in most industries. It is sterile against most fluids and waterproof.
You cannot wear it while working with red fuming nitric acid, which is highly flammable, and a rocket propeller.
The two compounds, nitrile in the gloves and nitric acid, may combust spontaneously and lead to burns and injuries.
Another interesting feature that makes it popular with the medical fraternity is that it is a thin polymer. The glove encloses hands snugly and perfectly and allows the fingers to be very flexible. That is why medical professionals like these gloves as it helps them retain the sensitivity to touch essential for diagnosing and treating patients. In addition, the nitrile gloves come with a special design on the outside that helps them grab objects easily.
Nitrile gloves may also be popular in other industrial sectors due to their sterile nature against most fluids and harmful chemicals.
It is available in many colors, and industries can choose the perfect color for their business. Black nitrile gloves have become popular over the years in mechanical work.
Mechanics and technicians like to use these gloves, as do the hair stylists and tattoo artists. These are stylish and sturdy at the same time.
From caregivers to the senior-most doctors and surgeons face many hazards of infections and contamination every day.
Now that we realize the issues with latex gloves, nitrile gloves have become their first line of defense in their fight to save patients.
The nitrile gloves are protective and affordable at the same time. Disposable gloves also reduce the chances of cross-contamination.
These are useful in &#;
The service industry uses these gloves, and the practice has become essential now because of the pandemic. The service providers in many businesses come in direct contact with their clients and also handle chemicals and other fluids.
Some of these are-
This is not a small industry and includes many businesses that involve food processing, packaging, restaurants, food delivery, and many other stakeholders.
Even a small incident of contamination can lead to major lawsuits and danger to health.
The workers and consumers alike will benefit from the use of gloves and protective tools.
The food processing industry has to be extremely conscious of hygiene at every stage of processing and packaging.
Similarly, restaurants and beverages industries also need to take care of employees and keep the customers safe at the same time. Their responsibility to maintain cleanliness is essential to comply with the regulations also.
Gloves play a major role in this context and especially nitrile gloves. The gloves are inexpensive, easy to use with tools and equipment, and allow the workers to prevent injuries.
The Industrial sector is vast, and we cannot talk about only one or two businesses.
Hongray supply professional and honest service.
From oil exploration to mining and sanitary services, from the automobile industry to aerospace, all the industries have one common factor: the safety of their employees.
Gloves and other safety equipment are integral to this exercise.
There are industry-specific requirements for protective gear. These are essential to prevent injury due to tools and chemicals in that industry.
Therefore the specifications of thickness, length, and resistance to tearing and chemicals are very important while choosing any pair of nitrile gloves for your business.
Most businesses use Industrial-grade disposable nitrile gloves-
This list is not exhaustive, and every industry must use gloves as a part of their safety gear.
The light and thinner gloves provide adequate protection when a technician uses small precision tools to assemble electronic items.
The same gloves may be suitable for tasks that involve technical work in any industry that does not involve heavy machinery and strong chemicals.
The right gloves fit the hands perfectly and allow dexterity and flexibility.
The low friction also helps the users wear the gloves and take them off easily without causing any tearing.
Sensitivity to tools is also necessary while wearing the gloves, and nitrile gloves provide a good solution as they are soft and flexible.
Some trades need special chemical-proof gloves that can be thicker to provide a barrier and yet be functionally comfortable.
These gloves will protect the hands from solvents, oils and acids, resins, grease, and many other fluids common in the industry.
You must keep in mind that nitrile gloves must not come in contact with nitric acid.
Regulations in industries mandate that every business uses the appropriate protective gear for its employees.
NIOSH and OSHA define the standards for safety for each industry and its processes.
They also define the protection that the gloves must provide to the users. All the different types of gloves must pass the barrier effectiveness tests. For example-
The agencies allocate different code numbers for easy identification, and the industry must adhere to the same while providing gloves to its employees.
Similarly, FDA and CDC also assign codes for nitrile gloves for different medical uses.
Every glove manufacturing company cannot have its specification and resistance levels while manufacturing gloves.
They must follow the regulations, and buyers must find it easy to compare the available models.
Usually, people equate thickness with its protective quality.
But it may not always be right when it comes to disposable nitrile gloves. Due to their flexibility and chemical composition, they can be very thin and yet be very strong.
The thickness of a nitrile glove does not indicate its strength or resistance to chemicals and tearing.
It is not a good idea to have thick nitrile gloves in some situations.
Many manufacturers add filler to add thickness, and that will make the gloves very unsafe for use.
The fillers are inferior materials and do not add any value to the gloves.
The gloves may break and damage easily without providing any safety to the users.
Each company has different needs, and they must try different types of gloves and check their quality before deciding the right ones for their employees.
The only way is to try every glove for its quality and resistance through physical trials. But, also keep in mind the regulatory specifications from the authorities.
The most common measure for the thickness of gloves is mils- .001 inch. The other measure is micron.
These are very minute measurements and may be difficult to gauge for lay people like us.
The gloves usually have different thicknesses across the surface.
The fingertips may be thicker, and palms may be thinner in some gloves.
Alternatively, a ribbed nitrile glove may have some cushioning in some parts like the palm and maybe thicker there.
Measuring the thickness is, therefore, very difficult. Again physically checking and wearing the gloves will help you understand the glove&#;s thickness in different areas.
No one can check or compare the gloves for strength without actually using them against different parameters.
You cannot apply the same rule of strength or thickness to all the nitrile gloves from different companies.
The regulatory standards define various measures for checking the strength of gloves.
The EN standard test for different hazards in industries can help to check the strength of a glove.
The guidelines mention the resistance to puncture, tear, abrasion, and chemicals, and a company can follow the guidelines for choosing the right gloves for their business.
We will describe a few points here that will help you understand the way the guidelines work.
7) Understand the various standards of resistance and choose the right gloves
You can see some of the industry standards set by the regulatory authorities to make it easy for people and businesses to choose the right gloves.
The numbers and codes follow an alphanumeric pattern, and each letter defines resistance to a particular class of chemicals.
More numbers/ alphabets would mean the glove is resistant to more chemicals and so on.
This should help you choose the right gloves for your business.
Irrespective of all the standards and codes, the best way to choose a glove is to try it personally.
Safety is the only goal, and you reach out to experts to find the right solution if you cannot find suitable gloves for your business.
Nitrile gloves are an alternative to rubber or latex gloves. These contain chemicals and additives, but no rubber or its derivatives are part of these gloves.
Some people may be allergic to the chemicals used in nitrile gloves, and that&#;s why it is important to clear the doubt.
Nitrile gloves do not contain latex yet may trigger some allergic reaction due to the chemical process of manufacturing. These are not hypoallergenic but still a better choice than latex ones.
Black nitrile gloves are like any other nitrile gloves and are disposable.
These may not be suitable for medical use as the healthcare needs are different.
They may benefit more from grading and light-colored gloves.
These gloves are more useful for mechanics and outdoor work.
Many people like to use these gloves for gardening and carpentry work.
Some black nitrile gloves may also have sweat-absorbing fleece inside and make the wearer feel comfortable.
Nitrile gloves are stronger than other varieties like latex and vinyl. They are also more resistant to the dangers in the line of work and different trade.
The gloves come in many specific colours suitable for different industries.
Mechanics need strong, flexible, and slightly thicker gloves, and black nitrile gloves fulfill this need.
Nitrile gloves that adhere to the FDA regulations are safe to use in the food and restaurant business.
All the manufacturers may not follow the same guidelines.
So first, find out the regulations for the glove manufacturers/ brands from whom you buy the gloves for your use.
Check their regulatory codes and compliance records. Also, it will be good to check with other businesses in your area and online to see the suitable gloves you can use in your business.
Usually, Nitrile gloves do not contain the following components and are therefore safe to use in the food industry
Nitrile gloves are water-resistant to a certain extent.
They have robust to the most chemicals that we use every day.
They can protect the employees&#; hands from grease, acids, and oil and the hazardous chemical solvents that they use.
They can prevent injuries due to sharp tools and constant repetitive use of machines.
The nitrile material can keep the user&#;s hands harmless from many germs and fluids and prevent contamination.
This is like a chain and stops the operator from spreading the germs and contaminating any surface they come across.
It is important to understand that nothing can stay impermeable for a long time.
Though the gloves protect against water and chemicals, they may develop some minuscule holes invisible to the eyes or tear due to constant stress after very long and continuous use.
Then your hand will be defenseless against the chemicals and harmful agents.
It is, therefore, important to check the gloves for any wear and tear from time to time and change as often as possible.
Nitrile gloves can stay in storage for a long time. But then they must be kept in a cool and dry place away from sunlight.
Sun rays affect and deteriorate most things over a long time due to the ultraviolet component.
You can also check the expiry date on the boxes of gloves. It is a fact that prolonged storage will have some adverse effect on the chemical composition of the gloves.
They may decompose and stick together and tear when you try to remove one from the box.
Take care while storing them and use them soon.
Nitrile Gloves are recyclable in many countries and states. The gloves must be put in a separate bin for recycling.
You must carefully pack the gloves and ship them to the recycling center to ensure that the waste does not contaminate anyone on the route.
In places where no recycling facility is available, you must ensure that the gloves go in the garbage pile for disposal.
Nitrile disposable gloves would ultimately disintegrate.
However, they will take a lengthier time to break down when compared to latex or other natural materials.
The chemicals in the nitrile gloves may also leach into the ground. It is important to dispose of the gloves safely.
Now more people are using disposable gloves in almost every task at home or at work too. They have helped prevent the spread of viruses and other germs.
We must take care in disposing of the chemical polymer gloves.
The viruses and germs in the gloves may contaminate and spread germs to more people unless every person can dispose of them safely.
Every time you change the gloves, follow the protocol for correct removal and disposal. This protocol is relevant for all industries. Medical professionals must take more care and follow the regulations for the biohazard disposal of gloves.
The nitrile gloves have charmed every industry across the world because of their features.
They are inexpensive and easy to use. They cause fewer allergies compared to latex and are available abundantly everywhere.
They are available in different colors, and industries can find customized designs for their needs.
The only negative aspect is that the material is not easily biodegradable. Hence proper recycling of gloves is important.
We must take care of the disposal of these gloves and ensure that they do not become a problem instead of a solution. Ensure that you follow the protocol of wearing the right gloves and stay safe.
Are you interested in learning more about Wholesale nitrile gloves? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!