What Are PPE Disposable Gloves? How Do You Choose the Right One?

Hand protection is a vital part of the safety routine in industries. To ensure that the hands are safe against potential hazards, gloves act as a barrier. They are considered the first line of defense that protects individuals from injuries during mishaps. It makes glove selection an important decision that should be done after multiple considerations. Especially choosing the right disposable gloves is even more vital. So, this article highlights the importance & selection of PPE disposable gloves.

What are PPE disposable gloves and their types? 

Hand gloves can be distinguished into two types - non-disposable gloves & disposable gloves. The difference between these gloves is the number of times they can be used. Non-disposable gloves are the ones that can be reused while disposable gloves are single-use ones that need to be discarded after they are worn. While one may argue that choosing disposable gloves is quite simple, on the contrary, it is quite complicated. Various factors must be considered before buying PPE disposable gloves. 

PPE disposable gloves are primarily employed as a safety measure for hand protection. These tasks can be chemical handling, healthcare activities, electrical activities, cleaning & maintenance activities, food handling & cooking, and handling & using tools, etc. Choosing the right type of disposable gloves will require one to understand various factors. 

Before understanding the factors, one must be familiar with different PPE disposable gloves types. The classification is based on the material used for the manufacturing of the gloves. The most common glove materials are nitrile, vinyl, latex, polyethylene, and neoprene. There are other materials like butyl rubber, Kevlar, Norfoil, Viton, and PVA which are employed for special uses. Another common classification is for the purpose they are employed. These two types are general purpose gloves & medical gr1ade gloves. The major difference between these two types is the standards that the latter has to follow.

Where are PPE disposable gloves employed?

Based on their types, PPE disposable gloves are employed. For example, polyethylene disposable gloves are often used when has to serve food. For the other types of gloves  (including disposable & reusable materials), refer to the following -

Latex*	Healthcare related activities Food related activities  Cleaning & maintenance activities  Recreational activities  Electrical Activities Salon & spa activities
Rubber	Electrical Activities
Nitrile*	Chemical Industries Food related activities Healthcare related activities Cleaning & maintenance activities Tattoo-related activities Labs
Butyl rubber	Special applications in Chemical industries where protection against ketones & esters is required.
Neoprene	Special applications in Chemical industries where oil resistance & slip resistance is required.
Kevlar	Cold and Hot work operations Welding & cutting operations Firefighting  Metal & Automobile industries
Viton	Chemical, oil, and petrochemical Industries Cleaning & maintenance activities Labs
Norfoil	Special applications in Chemical industries where chemical resistance from hazardous chemicals is required.
Nylon*	Special applications in Chemical industries where abrasion resistance is required.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (Vinyl)*	Food related activities Handling of less hazardous chemicals Cleaning & maintenance activities Salon activities
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)	Special applications in Chemical industries where protection against aromatics, aliphatics, and chlorinated solvents is required.

How to choose the right pair of gloves? What factors should one consider?

Once you have understood the different types of gloves, go through these factors, which will help you to better understand the pros & cons of various gloves and accordingly take a proper decision of PPE disposable glove selection.

Materials -

Material determines the properties and features of the hand gloves, and hence it is important to choose the right type of material. Consider the table (read further to find out) where the advantages and disadvantages of the materials are discussed.

Resistance & other properties -

Chemical resistance, puncture resistance, cut resistance, scratch resistance, abrasion resistance, electrical resistance, and temperature resistance are a few resistance properties that the gloves may possess. Other properties may include tensile strength, surface treatment & finishing, glove material thickness, elasticity, barrier protection, and glove effectiveness. Let’s go through a few key ones.

Glove effectiveness -

This factor contains various parameters like glove degradation, permeation rate, and breakthrough time. These parameters detect a change in the properties of gloves, absorption rates, and damaging factors. It helps you to get a clear idea of the glove's life as well as its susceptibility to various chemicals.

Glove material thickness -

It is measured in a unit called a mil which is 0.001 inch. Glove material thickness for disposable gloves is usually in the range of 2 to 8 mils and can go up to 15 mils for other gloves. The thickness should be appropriate to ensure protection, but it should not decrease sensitivity. Disposable gloves have less thickness which provides superior sensitivity and dexterity.

Surface treatment & finishing -

It impacts the grip and hence is a vital factor. Chlorination & coating are used for surface treatment. It is preferable to have textured finishes that provide better gripping. A few manufacturers provide powdered gloves for better grip and easy donning & doffing. But they can enhance allergies in the case of latex gloves.

Tensile strength & elasticity -

Tensile strength provides the details on the force (in pounds per square inch or mega Pascal (mPa)) required to reach the glove’s breaking point. For example, 11 mPa is the minimum requirement for medical gloves. Similarly, elongation indicates the stretching up to which the glove is damaged. For example, 300% is the minimum requirement for medical gloves. Superior elasticity & tensile strength indicate a strong glove that can withstand huge forces and resist cuts, scratches, and punctures.

Length, comfort, and fit -

The length of the gloves is considered as the distance between the fingertip & wrist opening.

High-risk gloves are often larger in length (as well as thicker). Before buying gloves, always check the glove size and choose the appropriate gloves that aren’t comfortable and have loose or tight fitting will cause interference with the work of the individual and cause discomfort.

Shelf Life -

Storage & handling play a crucial role in it. The gloves are properly stored in a dark, cool place without any external critical exposure, then the intended exposure is always achieved.

Uses

Based on the tasks, one may decide the type of gloves to be used. An appropriate analysis of requirements, risks, hazards, and workplace conditions along with factors affecting glove materials will help the right glove material selection. 

If one works in workplaces where gloves come in contact with food or food-related substances, then the gloves should be FDA-approved. Also, NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) has a special protocol for disposable food contact gloves (P155). Interested ones can check out NSF International Protocol P155. Medical gloves are also FDA-approved and are classified as reserved Class I medical equipment. 

FAQs -

Do PPE disposable gloves provide extended contact?

PPE disposable gloves used for chemical resistance only provide incidental contact protection, which is accidental exposure to chemical overexposure, splashes, and spills. They don’t provide extended contact where after chemical exposure the gloves can still be reused. After the incidental contact happens, disposable gloves must be discarded.

Can you use powdered medical gloves?

Medical gloves should be powder-free. FDA regulation has prohibited the use of the same.

What is a CE mark? 

A CE mark is present on the gloves, which is proof of its testing & certification. It is issued for the EU and signifies that the gloves are compliant with their standards. For approval in the US, the CE mark is insignificant and these gloves need to pass the relevant tests as required by US FDA or any other concerned authority.

Note - Always ensure that they have necessary compliances and follow all the regulations required for their safe use.

Curious ones can check out the difference between nitrile and vinyl gloves.

What are the advantages & disadvantages of different types of PPE disposable gloves?

(This table includes disposable & reusable materials. * denotes disposable glove material)

Latex*	Advantages - Protects from various water-based chemicals. Good insulation properties. Disadvantages - Less chemical protection, especially organic solvents. Causes latex allergies.
Nitrile*	Advantages - Provides good resistance against a wide range of chemicals like solvents, acids, bases, salts, oils, and greases. Damages are easily detected.
Butyl rubber	Advantages - Provides chemical resistance against ketones and esters. Disadvantages - No chemical protection against aliphatic, aromatic, and halogenated hydrocarbons.
Neoprene	Advantages - Provides chemical resistance against acids, bases, hydrocarbons, phenols, alcohols, fuels, and peroxides. No chemical protection against halogenated and aromatic hydrocarbons.
Kevlar	Advantages - Provides cuts, scratch, and flame resistance.  Disadvantages - Provides no chemical protection.
Norfoil	Advantages - Protects against most chemicals. Disadvantages - Poor fitting & bad dexterity.
Viton	Advantages - Provides chemical resistance against chlorinated and aromatic solvents as well as cut & abrasion resistance. Disadvantages - Provides no chemical resistance against ketones.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (vinyl)*	Advantages - Provides chemical resistance against many less hazardous acids, bases, salts, fats, oils, amines, and peroxides as well as abrasion resistance. Disadvantages - Provides no chemical resistance against organic solvents.
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)	Advantages - Provides chemical resistance against chlorinated and aromatic solvents.  Disadvantages - Provides no chemical resistance against aqueous solutions.

Interested ones can head over to buy nitrile gloves.

Conclusion

These factors help us to understand the selection of different glove types and ensure that we don’t make a mistake in glove selection. As different types of gloves provide different protection, choosing the right one is vital. PPE disposable gloves are always selected based on the hazards one may face. These hazards may be temperature, electricity, abrasion, cuts, scratches, chemicals, pathogens, sharp tools, etc. Cost is one of the most negligible factors when choosing PPE disposable gloves. The factors mentioned in the article will help you make the right decision. The comprehensive pros & cons table is more or less the summary of the article. So, we hope that you have understood PPE disposable gloves and their selection.