( See chart ) It’s also good against bloodborne pathogens, bacteria, and viruses - provided the latex gloves are medical-grade. Latex offers decent protection against a number of chemicals, though not as high or as wide a range as nitrile. įor decades, latex was the disposable glove of choice for healthcare institutions all over the world because of its cost-effectiveness, elasticity, and second-skin feel. While the most well-known source of latex is the rubber tree, you can actually find it in about 10% of all plants. When the plant is injured, it secretes latex to seal the cut and prevent further attacks. Latex is a naturally-occurring substance that plants create as protection against insects. While latex and rubber are often used synonymously, they’re not exactly the same. It’s best to check that the gloves you buy are compliant with industry requirements.Īhh, latex.the natural alternative to nitrile. Admittedly this applies to disposable gloves in general, but it’s a common misconception that all nitrile gloves are fine for food prep. Not all nitrile gloves are food-grade.They’ve still got a bit of springiness to them because they’re synthesised from natural rubber, but nitrile has a higher chance of breaking when overstretched. They’re not as elastic or as flexible as latex gloves.Certain manufacturers do sell biodegradable nitrile gloves, but they still take a lot longer to decompose than natural latex. When demand for disposable gloves went up severalfold during the pandemic, this created heaps of medical waste - not to mention the extra litter. Most nitrile gloves aren’t biodegradable.Well, nitrile actually has a lot of strengths and few weaknesses - hence its popularity.Īside from the exorbitant prices COVID-19 profiteers will charge you for nitrile gloves, here’s a few of the cons: Just note that you should be storing your nitrile gloves out of the heat and direct sunlight. The former can usually last five years, whereas natural latex has a shelf life of three years. Lastly, nitrile gloves typically have a higher shelf life than latex gloves. And the fact that nitrile gloves are available in non-medically-associated colours like black and orange makes them popular with tradesmen, who prefer disposable gloves with a sleek look. electricians working with conductive metals, doctors administering cardiac defibrillation).Ĭertain black nitrile gloves have low sweat technology as well, so they’re comfortable to wear outdoors or for long periods of time. Coupled with its ability to limit static discharge, nitrile is the glove of choice for professions where a stray charge may be dangerous (e.g. On top of that, nitrile gloves are snug-fitting and mould to the shape of your hand, giving you more dexterity to perform intricate tasks. This does not guarantee that you won’t have any allergic reactions though, as the chemical compounds in some gloves can still cause skin allergies. Nitrile gloves are also preferable because they’re hypoallergenic. Medical professionals and higher-risk industries prefer them because of their durability: they’ve got high abrasion, puncture, and snag resistance, which means they’re less likely to rip during use. Nitrile gloves are waterproof, greaseproof, heat-resistant, and chemical-resistant. It's most useful for situations requiring high oil resistance, such as in automotive seals, gaskets, and other items exposed to hot oils. Nitrile combines two monomers (acrylonitrile and butadiene) in a process called copolymerisation to form the base material. It's the culmination of research that took place between and during the two world wars. Nitrile rubber (NBR) is a synthetic rubber developed in controlled laboratory conditions. Now that we’re in the second year of the pandemic, the shortage (and high prices!) seems likely to continue. Skyrocketing demand during COVID-19 sent prices up by 967%, from $3 to $32 for a box of 100. If you’re a frontline worker or healthcare professional, you may have heard of the nitrile glove shortage. glove uses and quality standards they should be meeting.the types of disposable gloves available (nitrile, latex, and vinyl).This comprehensive guide will go through: Nitrile or latex? How about vinyl? Powder-free or no? Which gloves are best for your industry? There’s an overwhelming number of choices out there. Say you’re shopping online for disposable gloves.
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