Nitrile gloves are quickly rising to the top of the popularity list when it comes to disposable gloves. There are so many reasons for their surge in use. These gloves possess many of the same benefits that natural latex gloves have. They are including flexibility, dexterity, and a snug fit. People use these gloves in several industries, including food service, automotive, medical fields,… They also eliminate the risk for an allergic reaction because nitrile is made of a synthetic rubber.
Industrial vs. Exam Nitrile Gloves
Before you purchase just any old pair of nitrile gloves, consider the application you plan on wearing the gloves for. There are two main categories of these gloves: industrial grade and medical grade.
- Industrial Grade: This category of nitrile glove is best suited for applications that necessitate the handling of harsh chemicals and solvents. Since industrial grade gloves are extremely chemical resistant, they make the perfect glove for a variety of industries.
- Medical Grade: Your occupation puts you in contact with blood born pathogens or other environmental contaminants. Then, the use of medical grade nitrile gloves is highly recommended. This type of glove is most often found in hospitals, medical facilities, dental facilities and other laboratories. Manufacturers produce medical grade gloves to meet specific guidelines from the FDA. Therefore, they ensure that these gloves will provide the strength, durability and barrier for these applications.
Size & Color
Most disposable gloves come in a variety of unique and sizes which can interfere with the productivity of your application. If possible so you can determine what size glove you need. The correct size glove will enhance your comfort and tactile sensitivity in every application. By color coding your gloves, you can assist in differentiating glove sizes. Then, they help prevent cross contamination. For instance, blue nitrile gloves are a standard in the medical industry. Black nitrile gloves often use in automotive applications where oil and grime is prevalent. Brighter color gloves like orange, green, or pink can be helpful in several situations.
Thickness
If your industry requires a specific thickness of disposable gloves, nitrile gloves come in a variety of thicknesses. The vast majority of heavy duty industrial grade nitrile gloves will be 6 – 8 mils thick. Due to the harsh environments, the extra thickness will provide a thicker barrier of protection. Basically, the lower the gauge the higher level of dexterity and flexibility you will find, and vice versa.
Textures
There are a variety of disposable gloves on the market with added palm and finger texture to enhance your grip. Most nitrile gloves are finished with a chlorinated coating. It helps to reduce stickiness and makes it easier to put on and pull off your gloves.
Powdered vs. Powder-Free
When you purchase gloves, there are two common options to choose from: powdered and powder-free. Powdered nitrile gloves absorb extra moisture, which can help to easily put the gloves on. Powder-free nitrile gloves are topped with a chlorinated or polymer finish. So you don’t have to worry about the messiness of powder. The powdered option absorbs any extra moisture, which aids in putting on gloves. However it can leave behind some residue.
When choosing your next disposable nitrile gloves, be sure to take all of these factors into consideration, so that you can perform to the best of your ability.
