Key Questions to Ask When Ordering latex gloves benefits

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.

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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.

Medical Gloves Defined

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.

1. Type of Material

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

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 Gloves

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.

Vinyl, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Gloves

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.

Other Types of Medical Gloves

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:

• Chloroprene gloves: Chloroprene is a synthetic monomer. It creates polychloroprene, which mimics latex well and is resistant to many hazardous chemicals.
• Chemo gloves: Chemo gloves, as their name suggests, are approved for use during chemotherapy. Exposure to chemotherapy drugs can be hazardous, so PPE is always recommended.
• Aloe vera gloves: Frequent hand-washing and glove changes can cause hands to become dry and cracked. Some medical gloves include an internal aloe vera coating to moisturize the wearer&#;s hands.

2. Sterile vs. Non-Sterile

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.

Surgical vs. Examination Gloves

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.

3. Powdered vs. Non-Powdered Gloves

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.

4. Glove Thickness

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.

5. Tactile Sensitivity

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.

6. Glove Comfort and Fit

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.

7. Tensile Strength

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.

8. Glove Color 

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.

9. Double-Gloving

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.

10. Shelf Life

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 Tips

Proper storage can help make gloves last longer. For short or long-term glove storage, you should keep gloves:

• In their original packaging with an unbroken seal: Only break the packaging seal when you&#;re ready to use the gloves.
• In a cool-temperature environment: Too much heat can cause gloves to degrade, so it&#;s important to store your gloves in a cool environment. A temperature-controlled closet is an ideal choice.
• Somewhere without ultraviolet light or ozone: Some fluorescent bulbs and electrical equipment can generate ozone or ultraviolet light. Exposure to either may damage your gloves.
• In a low-humidity environment: Too much humidity can compromise gloves or lead to mold or bacterial growth. Keep your gloves away from humidifiers, radiators, steam pipes or any other heat and humidity generating equipment.

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.

Shop Disposable Medical Gloves From SUNLINE Supply

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.

Ryen Neuman

Ryen is the Vice President of Business Development at Sunline Supply. He helps with logistics as well as selling products, loves to go to trade shows and previously won the innovation award at the Dale Carnegie Leadership for Managers. Click here to learn more about Ryen!

What if you could protect yourself from harmful bacteria and viruses while saving money on latex gloves?

The demand for disposable gloves in all industries have increased heavily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People are paying closer attention to sanitation and cleanliness on a daily basis. Latex gloves are designed to protect all parties involved in high-risk situations and even lower-risk tasks.

What are sterile latex gloves usually used for? What are the advantages of latex gloves? Can you sanitize latex gloves? What type of latex glove will give the best protection against exposure to blood, bodily fluids, bacteria, and viruses?

In this complete guide to latex gloves, we answer all those questions and more. We'll also give you a list of the best latex gloves on the market so that you can be confident in what product to buy.

What is Latex?

Latex is a natural material derived from the rubber tree. The harvesting process of latex dates back to ancient civilizations who used latex as glue for boats and water vessels. As early as BC, natives were using the sap from rubber tree trunks to plug holes in canoes.

Benefits of Latex Gloves

Sterile latex gloves are usually used for surgical procedures and other invasive medical procedures. Treating patients in high-risk situations involving bodily fluids, blood, and infectious diseases require sterile latex surgical gloves.

Latex disposable gloves can also be used for non-invasive low-risk, general procedures including non-surgical medical procedures. They are a popular choice in both the health care industry and industrial industry. The wide range of uses include dental, medical, child care, senior care, food service, food processing, janitorial, public health sanitation, automotive, and manufacturing. 

A major benefit of latex gloves is that they are disposable. This means that after a single use or a period of hours, the gloves can be disposed of and replaced. This significantly helps to reduce bacterial and viral transmission rates in medical settings. They are also effective in preventing the transmission of certain diseases such as AIDS, Hepatitis B, and C via blood or bodily fluids.

Disposable latex gloves are also very affordable and accessible to all industries large and small.

What are Latex Gloves Used For?

The primary use of latex gloves is to protect against, bacteria, viruses, blood, and bodily fluids. The goal of disposable latex medical gloves is to prevent cross-contamination between patients and physicians. They provide a great deal of dexterity which is why they are also used outside the medical community for auto repair, meal prep, and catering. 

For more latex gloves benefitsinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

What is Used to Make Latex Gloves?

Latex gloves are made of natural rubber offering the highest comfort, flexibility, and tactile sensitivity. This is important for nurses, doctors, dentists, surgeons, and health care workers who prefer using high quality medical grade gloves. The natural rubber fiber used to make latex gloves also make them biodegradable.

Natural rubber trees harvested throughout the world are used to make latex gloves. These trees are harvested and latex is extracted, purified, and processed into a glove.

Types of Latex Gloves

Latex gloves come in various types, each designed to suit different needs and applications. The most common types are powdered and powder-free latex gloves.

Powder vs. Powder Free Gloves

The two types of latex gloves on the market are powder and powder-free. There are pros and cons to each making them ideal for different situations.

Powdered Latex Gloves

Powdered latex gloves have cornstarch inside that make them easier to slip on and off. This prevents the gloves from sticking to your hands, especially when they are sweating. While keeping your hands cool and dry, they are also more resistant to rips and tears than powder-free gloves.

These gloves are lightly powdered to provide an extra layer of comfort and prevent the hands from sticking together. You get more dexterity with powder gloves due to the powder making it easier to grip things.

Powder-Free Latex Gloves

Powder-free latex gloves will not leave a messy residue on your hands, tools, or equipment. They are popular in the food service industry for this very reason. The powder-free option is prevalently used in the medical field since the FDA ban on powdered surgical and medical exam gloves in .

The powder-free glove option prevents powder from getting into woulds or exposed tissue slowing down the healing process. This is the main reason why the FDA banned powdered examination and surgical gloves.

The lack of cornstarch is also beneficial for people with latex allergies. The only downside to these gloves is that they are more likely to rip and tear than powdered gloves. It is important to also note that manufacturers today have developed ways of making non-powdered gloves that are easier put on and take off. This is good news for those with latex allergies who need to use powder-free latex gloves.

How Long Do Latex Gloves Last?

The amount of hours and uses latex gloves can handle depends on a number of factors. The main factor that determines how long your disposable latex gloves will last is the environment you are using them in. If you are using them in the hospital or medical setting, you can get about 4-6 hours out of one pair. If the environment is more demanding or high risk like food service, then you can expect to get 12-24 hours from one pair.

What Do Latex Gloves Protect Against?

Latex gloves provide a high level of protection against various hazards, making them a popular choice in many industries. They protect against:

Biological Hazards

Latex gloves are effective in protecting against bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms. This makes them ideal for use in medical settings, laboratories, and any environment where there is a risk of exposure to infectious agents.

Chemical Exposure

While not resistant to all chemicals, latex gloves offer good protection against many common chemicals and solvents, such as cleaning agents and certain laboratory chemicals. They are often used in settings where there is a need for moderate chemical resistance.

Cuts and Abrasions

Latex gloves provide a barrier that can help protect the skin from minor cuts, abrasions, and punctures. This is particularly useful in industries such as food handling, maintenance, and healthcare, where there is a risk of skin injuries.

Contamination

By creating a barrier between the hands and various surfaces, latex gloves help prevent contamination of clean environments and protect the user from coming into contact with contaminants. This is crucial in food preparation, medical examinations, and sterile environments.

Allergens and Irritants

Latex gloves can protect the skin from allergens and irritants, reducing the risk of allergic reactions and dermatitis, especially in environments where irritants are commonly present.

Overall, latex gloves are a versatile protective measure, providing reliable defense against a range of biological, chemical, and physical hazards, ensuring safety and hygiene in various applications.

Are Latex Gloves Medical Grade?

Latex examination gloves are sterile or non-sterile medical grade gloves. They provide protection against exposure to blood and bodily fluids. Latex surgical gloves are sterile higher quality medical grade gloves. They provide the highest protection against exposure to bodily fluids and blood.

Sterile vs Non-Sterile Gloves

The biggest difference between sterile and non-sterile gloves is the AQL or acceptable quality level of pinholes. Sterile gloves have a lower AQL than non-sterile gloves. 

Sterile Gloves

Sterile gloves are primarily used for surgery. There are stricter standards on sterile gloves making them more expensive than non-sterile gloves. Sterile gloves must meet FDA standards based on the AQL.  

Non-Sterile Gloves

Non-sterile gloves are used for anything that is considered a non-surgical procedure including examinations. This also includes medical procedures that do not require the wearer to touch or come in contact with blood or bodily fluids. 

How Are Non-Sterile Gloves Sterilized?

Someone else besides the glove manufacturer sterilizes non-sterile gloves. After sterilization, they are tested by the FDA to ensure they meet the standard assurance level (SAL) for sterilization techniques. 

For non-surgical procedures, non-sterile gloves have been found to pose no higher risk of infection in comparison to sterile gloves. They are the most cost-effective solution for non-invasive procedures. For this reason, non-sterile latex gloves are the most widely used in many fields.

Can You Sanitize Latex Gloves?

Disposable latex gloves are designed to be used once and discarded. While there is one study concluding they can be disinfected with 60% isopropanol alcohol, this was only tested on four different brands of latex gloves. Only 2 of the brands tested successfully after disinfecting less than ten times.

It goes on further to state &#;Disinfection of these gloves is admissible e.g. after indirect patient contact, taking blood samples or laboratory work if no visible contamination or perforation has occurred. However, after contact with patients suffering from an infectious disease or carrying multiresistant organisms the gloves have to be changed. The same holds true if the gloves might be contaminated with naked viruses (e.g. Poliomyelitis virus), since virucidal alcoholic hand disinfectants require high concentration thus leading to materials incompatibility.&#;

Can You Reuse Latex Gloves?

Latex gloves are single use disposable medical devices. They are considered a class II medical device and need to be labeled with expiration and sterilization information by the manufacturer.

It is much safer to throw disposal gloves away after each use. Do not wash, disinfect, or reuse them. Wash your hands before and after using the gloves to further protect yourself and others.

Do Latex Gloves Protect Against Chemicals?

The best protection latex gloves provide is against bacteria and viruses. While they protect well against blood borne pathogens, they are not very chemical-resistant. Nitrile gloves and vinyl gloves are the superior choice for protection against chemicals.

What Kind of Gloves Do Hospitals Use?

Examination and surgical are the two types of medical gloves used in hospitals. Latex gloves have the most stretchy feel and offer more precision for surgeons. However, due to the increase of latex allergies, many medical providers are choosing latex-free alternatives. If you have a latex allergy, nitrile gloves are the better choice.

Beware of the cost though. Synthetic nitrile gloves cost more than latex gloves. The lower cost of natural latex makes these medical gloves a cost-effective solution for the level of protection offered.

What are Disadvantages of Latex Gloves?

The biggest disadvantage are latex allergies. They can cause allergic reactions on the skin and offer little chemical protection. It can be hard to detect lacerations and puncture holes which is why many doctors and surgeons practice double-gloving.

Double Gloving

Many healthcare professionals and laboratories wear two pairs of sterile gloves during sensitive procedures to lessen the risk of infection and exposure to bloodborne pathogens. The outer gloves acts as barrier to protect the inner glove from perforation. Using different colored gloves can protect you even further by discovering small penetrations by sharp tools sooner.

Does Glove Color Matter?

Originally, hospital gloves were just two colors to identify which gloves were latex and which were latex-free. Now, medical professionals use color to help detect punctures. Wearing a darker glove or a lighter colored glove is a common double-gloving practice. You will see the light colored inner glove through the darker outer glove if it should tear.

Is Double Gloving Recommended?

To get the best protective value from latex gloves, it is highly recommended to wear two pairs of gloves on each hand. Layering a dark color glove over a light color glove makes this even easier. Need more proof?

In this study, it was found that &#;The addition of a second pair of surgical gloves significantly reduces perforations to innermost gloves.&#; It goes on to conclude that &#;Perforation indicator systems results in significantly more innermost glove perforations being detected during surgery.&#;

In another study, it was discovered that using two pairs of gloves, instead of just one pair, reduced the number of perforations in gloves by 71%. It also found that blood stains on the skin were reduced by 65%.

Choosing Latex Gloves

Here is a list of the best latex gloves on the market. Compare the features and benefits of each to help you decide which one is best for your current needs.

1. Black Latex Gloves

2. Blue Latex Gloves

3. Powder-Free Latex Gloves

In case you didn't know, all products listed above can be found in our store at competitive prices. Save money while effectively preventing cross-contamination and protection from harmful bacteria and viruses. We also sell latex gloves in bulk. 

We hope you found this complete guide to latex gloves useful in deciding what types of gloves are best for your situation. Be sure to check out this other resource comparing the difference between nitrile and latex gloves.

Where to Buy Latex Gloves?

When looking for high-quality latex gloves, it&#;s essential to choose a reliable and reputable supplier. gloves.com is one of the best options available, offering a wide range of latex gloves suitable for various applications, including medical, industrial, and household use. They provide gloves that meet stringent quality standards, ensuring durability, comfort, and excellent protection.

At gloves.com, you can find powdered and powder-free latex gloves, exam-grade and industrial-grade options, and different sizes to fit your needs. Their easy-to-navigate website and excellent customer service make purchasing hassle-free, ensuring you get the right gloves quickly and efficiently.

Choose gloves.com for your latex gloves and experience top-notch products and service that meet your safety and hygiene requirements.

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