Disposable Gloves

Nitrile is a surgical-grade material; nitrile gloves are available sterile and non-sterile, in various thicknesses, and in different colours. Nitrile is best-suited to environments with a high risk of hazardous substances, infection and disease. Vinyl is a thick, strong plastic most suited to low-risk environments, like food processing, mechanics and general protection. Vinyl gloves are inexpensive, tear-resistant, loose-fitting and offer limited protection from chemicals. Which is best? Nitrile is superior to vinyl, but it is not always necessary. Vinyl is cheaper and more than suited to general applications.

Powdered gloves have a type of corn starch acting as a donning agent, which also helps to manage sweat and improve overall comfort. However, the powder can contaminate materials and surfaces it comes into contact with. Powder-free gloves have no donning agent, so they can be difficult for the user to slip on if they have sweaty hands. However, there is no risk of cross-contamination, so powder-free gloves are the industry standard in healthcare and medicine.

Disposable gloves are used for short-term protection against chemicals, oils, greases, and biohazards, including infection, cross-contamination and abrasion. However, the level of protection depends on the type of disposable glove. All disposable gloves are single-use only, so they should be thrown away following use. Surgical-grade nitrile gloves are designed to be worn all day, while you can use general nitrile and latex gloves for a few hours. Do not use disposable gloves to handle concentrated acids, caustics and chemicals, and they can also degrade when exposed to concentrated vapours. When handling high-risk substances, always use graded chemical handling gloves.