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10 Things to Consider When Buying Medical Gloves | Sunline Supply
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.
If you need disposable gloves for your professional environment, choosing the best possible kind of glove is critical. Youll 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, well 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, youll 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 its 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. Nitriles 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. Theyve been a staple of many healthcare facilities since the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic of the s. With that said, latex allergies are common. Theres a high likelihood someone in your organization or someone you serve will have a latex allergy. If youre 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 theyre easy to mass-produce, these gloves are one of the least expensive options. Theyre 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 wearers 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 youre looking for disposable gloves for routine cleaning, food service, caregiving or other purposes, non-sterile gloves should be fine. Its 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 wearers skin, causing irritation, inflammation or allergic reactions. It can also cause surgical complications involving peritoneal adhesions, which are a type of bond between a persons 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 isnt 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. Its vital to choose comfortable gloves an uncomfortable glove may hinder someones 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 wearers 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 wearers skin may leave the wearer vulnerable to pathogens. A glove thats 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 materials 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 theyll start to tear. Since a tear would compromise a gloves protection, tensile strength is essential. Its 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 staffs safety and wellbeing. Should you choose to do so, you may need to store greater quantities of gloves. Its a good idea to order gloves in bulk amounts for this purpose.
10. Shelf Life
The final factor you should consider is a gloves 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 gloves shelf life depends most on its material. Nitrile gloves last longer than any other material. You should always check the manufacturers guidelines, but most nitrile gloves will last in their original packaging for several years.
In most cases, its 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 youre ready to use the gloves.
- In a cool-temperature environment: Too much heat can cause gloves to degrade, so its 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 youve chosen the right gloves for you, be sure to purchase as many as you may need and follow best storage practices.
Which Thickness is Best for Disposable Gloves? [Complete Guide]
While the world of disposable gloves is expansive, not all gloves are created equally. With any glove, thickness has a surprising impact on the kinds of jobs it can handle. The thickness of gloves comes down to the thickness of their materials, which determines the amount of protection they can give be it nitrile, vinyl, or latex.
Disposable gloves come in a range of thicknesses, so what kind should you choose? In a quick glance, with thin gloves, you lose greater protection but gain a lighter glove that provides more tactile sensitivity. With thicker material, you get an extremely durable glove and safer handling of hazardous materials.
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Todays blog post takes a look at thickness is best for disposable gloves, be it nitrile gloves or latex gloves.
Why the Thickness of the Gloves Matter
Wearing the wrong gloves can affect the job you are doing, so choosing the best disposable gloves for the job is a big decision. Industrial and exam grade gloves have different needs, materials, thickness, and permeability. When purchasing disposable nitrile gloves for your use, its important to determine what your task is, what kind of gloves you need, and be guided by those requirements.
The appropriate gloves for your task make all the difference when completing a task. Whether you choose a nitrile glove or latex gloves, you must consider your requirement first. Hence, a 3-mil glove may be lighter than the four mils or five mils, but in practice, they feel just as sturdyjust be sure they are the correct thickness for your use. The same could go for the four mils versus the five milsyou dont want a glove that is too heavy for your specific process.
For example, thin latex gloves, such as those worn by surgeons, allow for greater dexterity, flexibility, and sense of touch. However, they are not durable enough to withstand the heavy use required in certain occupations, such as manufacturing which calls for thicker nitrile gloves.
Shop Nitrile Gloves and save up to 50% today!Thin or Thick Disposable Gloves: Which to Use?
Disposable gloves have many use cases, but these factors should help you decide what thickness works best for you. For a nitrile glove that pairs a balance between comfort and protection, people may want to opt for a midweight option. If a strong, puncture-resistant glove is the top priority, then a heavy-duty version might be necessary. But if you are looking for an economical option that will perform very specific tasks without sacrificing tactile sensitivity, thin latex or nitrile gloves may be right for you.
The important takeaway is that there are multiple options to consider; dont let the rumor of disposable nitrile gloves being inherently thick, deter you from using these versatile gloves for everything from working in your garden to keeping safe as you clean up after an oil spill. Thick and thin gloves each have their own pros and cons, but at the end of the day, it is a matter of appropriateness to the task you are about to take.
What is mil in Gloves?
Mil in gloves is a measurement that indicates the thickness of the glove material, expressed in thousandths of an inch. This measurement is crucial for determining the gloves durability, flexibility, and overall protective capabilities. For example, a glove with a 4 mil thickness is thinner, offering greater dexterity and tactile sensitivity, which is essential for tasks requiring precision, such as medical procedures or detailed assembly work.
On the other hand, a glove with an 8 mil thickness is much thicker and provides robust protection against punctures, abrasions, and chemical exposure, making it ideal for heavy-duty industrial environments. Understanding mil thickness allows users to choose the right glove for their specific needs, balancing protection with comfort and functionality.
When selecting gloves, its important to consider the specific requirements of the task at hand. Gloves with a lower mil thickness may be sufficient for light-duty tasks where sensitivity and flexibility are key, but they may not offer the necessary protection in more hazardous conditions.
Mils vs Microns
In America, glove thickness is usually expressed in mils, or thousandths of an inch. Contrary to popular belief, a mil is not the same as a millimeterit's a unit of thickness equal to one-thousandth (.001) of an inch.
However, other countries use Micro Meters (Microns), a unit of length equal to one-millionth of a metre. So if you are in another country shopping for disposable gloves, the number of microns indicated is its level of thickness.
The Best Thickness for Disposable Gloves
Disposable gloves generally range from 4-15 mils thick. While the current glove standard is 3 mil thick and premium ones are 5 mil or more, but they will need to be measured at the wrist, fingertips, and palm. Low-numbered gloves provide greater dexterity, flexibility and sense of touch than high-numbered gloves. High-numbered gloves provide greater durability, but lower flexibility than low-numbered gloves.
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Under 2-mil thick gloves:
These gloves are most often used for light-duty tasks. They are also economical and are suited to any food-prep tasks where you constantly need to change gloves.
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3-mil or less thick gloves:
Gloves with a thickness of 3 mils or less are suited for jobs that do not require strong protection from chemicals or hazardous materials. Such gloves are preferred for applications requiring frequent glove changes in food service, janitorial, and salon & beauty applications.
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4 to 6-mil thick gloves:
Thicker gloves, those measuring 4 mil to 6 mil, are created with more material and stronger materials and so can withstand greater tension. These are usually a nitrile glove and are a good choice for general duty and for heavier duty uses involving tools and machinery.
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8-mil and above thick gloves:
Those gloves rated 8 mils and above are suited for heavy-duty work and specialized tasks, given that the higher is the mil thickness, the more rigid the glove.
Shop 8 Mil Nitrile Gloves today and save up to 50%The Best Range for Disposable Nitrile Gloves
Meanwhile, disposable nitrile gloves usually range in thickness from 4 mils to 8 mils, with the majority of heavy-duty industrial and laboratory grade nitrile gloves ranging from 6 to 8 mils thick. The thicker the nitrile glove, the higher level of protection.
Heavy-duty nitrile gloves provide a longer permeation time when working with chemicals and more tear resistance than thinner light-duty or medical grade gloves.
Glove Thickness Varies
However, keep in mind that the thickness of a nitrile glove or a latex one varies from one part of the hand to another. This means glove thickness is not uniform across the whole glove. Glove manufacturers rate glove thickness based on the amount of material at the fingers and palm, while also considering the rigidity of the material throughout the rest of the glove.
Gloves are usually made by dipping hand-formers into liquid material with the fingers pointing downward. As they begin drying, the law of gravity applies as solution is pulled downward: Fingertips are thicker than wrists, with palms somewhere in the middle.
How To Read Glove Thickness
When you see a nitrile glove labeled 4 mil, that measurement is usually based on the thickness in the fingertips, which makes sense since your fingers are most likely to do the handling and thus are most susceptible to puncturing and tearing when wearing the disposable glove. This applies for all disposable gloves including nitrile gloves and latex.
Gloves become more costly as they become thicker, as this process requires more material and manpower. Meanwhile, resistance from chemical hazards varies with thickness. The thicker the glove, the stronger the resistance against chemical hazards, but dexterity is reduced.
Size and Thickness
If you find that a nitrile glove has ripped, the first thing to ask is whether you are wearing the correct size. Most gloves have an Acceptable Quality Limit, or AQL rating, which indicates an acceptable percentage of ripped gloves in any one batch.
Many users rip disposable glove not because the nitrile glove is too thin, but because they are trying to force his or her hand into a glove that is too small.
Glove Thickness and Allergy
You probably wonder if a thick glove can cause allergy. The answer is no. Allergic reactions are usually caused by the material and hence, glove manufacturers offer latex free gloves as well as powder free gloves in both nitrile and vinyl options.
Cornstarch powder-coated gloves are easier to put on and prevent gloves from sticking together. However, they may cling to the wearer's skin and cause sensitivities or allergies.
Powder-free nitrile gloves undergo a process known as chlorination in which they are treated with a chlorine solution, rinsed with water, and dried to remove most of the powdered residue and latex proteins. Powder-free nitrile gloves can be harder to remove quickly and may decrease the firm grip, but they are more sanitary. They also tend to be more expensive than powdered gloves because of extra steps involved in the chlorination process.
Conclusion
We hope that these insights into the benefits of each glove thickness will help you make an informed decision about your particular needs and tasks.
If youre looking for a consistent, strong glove to stand up to punctures and tears during regular work with chemical or sharp objects, or just some extra durability, then the thick nitrile gloves or latex glove is worth considering. If you need a more flexible and cost-effective glove, then the thin choice may be a better choice.
Either way, disposable nitrile gloves are usually great options in their own right, so go ahead and make the choice thats right for you.
At the end of the day, it is important to choose the best gloves that are right for the job. We should not rely on size or thickness as the only way to guide these choices. A combination of the fabric type, thickness, and application will ensure success in any situation when using a nitrile or latex glove.
Where To Buy The Best Gloves For Your Needs?
When it comes to purchasing gloves that meet your specific needs, gloves.com stands out as the best option. With a wide range of gloves available in varying thicknesses and materials, they cater to every requirement, whether you need lightweight gloves for tasks requiring precision or heavy-duty gloves for more demanding applications. gloves.com offers high-quality products that ensure durability, protection, and comfort, making them the go-to source for disposable gloves.
The company is the world’s best Black Nitrile Gloves Bulk supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
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