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Nitrile Glove Advantages

Nitrile gloves are used in various occupational settings including health care, research, hairdressing, food service and janitorial services. The gloves are graded as medical, high-risk and utility. Medical-graded gloves are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. The American Society for Testing and Materials regulates utility-graded gloves. Employers are increasingly replacing standard latex gloves with nitrile ones in an effort to reduce allergic reactions, which may range from mild to severe, including anaphylactic shock and death.

  1. Stronger

    • Nitrile gloves are three times more puncture-resistant than rubber and have a low resistance to friction. They are resistant to numerous chemicals, making them an ideal safety option for workers in research labs and those dealing with severely toxic substances. Depending on the risk of exposure, workers may choose between grades 1 to 3 in strength and protection.

    Latex-Free

    • Workers use latex gloves for protection in many situations; however, repeated exposure to latex proteins results in allergic reactions for many individuals, especially those in the health-care professions. Mild reactions include redness, rash, hives, or itching, while more severe reactions can include runny noses, sneezing, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, asthma and shock. Reactions may be immediate or take hours to develop. Nitrile gloves are made of synthetic latex and contain no latex proteins; therefore, they are an ideal alternative to latex gloves.

    Flexible

    • Nitrile gloves are easy to slide on and are more flexible than latex or vinyl gloves. They are available in small, medium and large sizes for a comfortable fit and ease of movement. In certain occupations requiring precise movements and manipulation of equipment, nitrile gloves offer the range of motion required by workers to perform such tasks accurately and safely.

    Cost-Effective Precaution

    • Numerous suppliers make nitrile gloves readily available in all sizes, cuff lengths and strengths. The gloves can be purchased in boxes or by the case for a fraction of the costs incurred by deadly exposure to toxic chemicals or from allergic reactions. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), along with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) require businesses to establish safe practices and the use of nitrile gloves is a first-line defense in workplace disasters.

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