The most commonly used safety product is disposable gloves ( Compare prices). They are used in the chemical, automotive, and photochemistry industries. When choosing gloves, there are many factors to consider, including quality, protection, allergies, and cost. Below is a quick overview of the three types and differences of gloves.
Latex Gloves
Latex, the most widely used glove material, is biodegradable and is made from material derived from latex ducts in rubber trees. Despite the advancement of synthetic materials, it is still the most flexible, resilient, and form-fitting material for gloves. These gloves are ideal for medical, automotive repair, and food service applications because they offer a lot of comfort, dexterity, and tactility.
latex is the best glove material for protection against bacteria, viruses, and other body fluids. For durability against punctures and tears, latex gloves come in many thicknesses. You can choose from powder-free, powered, or lightly powdered versions. Latex gloves are made of cornstarch-based powder that is used to slip the gloves onto your hands.
Latex can cause allergic reactions. It can cause itchy, irritated skin areas as well as severe allergic reactions. The use of latex gloves can lead to allergic reactions. See Are latex powdered gloves safe?
Nitrile Gloves
Nitrile gloves are made of nitrile butadiene, another synthetic material. They can be used as an alternative to latex gloves and have a longer shelf-life than latex gloves. Nitrile gloves are three times more resistant than latex to punctures, but once punctured, they will tear completely. The wearer can replace the gloves by making a visible tear, and their hands will remain protected.
Compare prices Nitrile is similar to latex in feel, fit, dexterity, and durability. However, it is more resistant than oils, fats, and solvents making them ideal for chemical industries, laboratories, photochemical industries, agricultural or pesticides application, meat processing, as well as medical applications. Nitrile gloves are also more effective at breaking down electrostatic charges, and they contribute fewer particles to the environment when used in cleanrooms. They are also more resistant to heat than latex, which is an advantage for automotive applications.
There are many options for nitrile gloves. They can be powdered or lightly powdered. These gloves have one drawback: the price. The most expensive of all three types of gloves are Nitrile.
Vinyl Gloves
Vinyl is a synthetic material that is non-biodegradable and protein-free, made from polyvinylchloride (PVC), and other plasticizers. Vinyl gloves have a longer shelf-life than latex gloves because they are synthetic and not biodegradable. Vinyl gloves are very cheap to produce, which makes them very affordable to buy. Vinyl gloves can be made in a variety of thicknesses, with options for powdered and non-powdered.
Vinyl has some drawbacks. It is not resistant to chemicals and microorganisms. However, these gloves are ideal for handling chemicals and non-hazardous materials. Vinyl gloves are also less form-fitting than latex and nitrile. This results in a lower level of dexterity, and greater chances of the glove catching on fire. These gloves are ideal for food service and other areas where product protection is required but does not require tactile precision or much dexterity.
What Disposable Glove Material Is Right for You?
The application of the glove, allergy, and cost are all factors that should be considered when choosing the right glove. The glove should be the right size for you. This will ensure that the gloves are comfortable and won’t slip off your hands.
Some people have reported allergic reactions to cornstarch-based powders in powdered or lightly powdered gloves. This could play a role in selecting powdered gloves or those that are powder-free.
