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Buy latex gloves - Proven and reliable

Protective gloves are available in various materials. Latex is a proven and reliable material. It is used in the healthcare, catering and industrial sectors. However, there is a risk of latex allergy. Protective gloves in accordance with EN 374 are part of the personal protective equipment (PPE) that is required by law for self-protection when working with potentially hazardous activities.

Latex gloves - What are the properties of latex gloves? 

Latex gloves are used in many areas. In the past, they were additionally powdered, but nowadays the gloves have to be washed out in one or more chlorine baths as part of the production process. This process, known as chlorination, removes any powder particles. Nevertheless, some tiny particles may remain.

The most important features at a glance 

  • Enormous stretch and thick, robust material
  • High durability
  • Allergy risk
  • Comfortable to wear and sensitive to the touch
  • Good protection against alcohols, acids, viruses and bacteria
  • Limited durability and resistance to oils and fats
  • Robust and durable material, suitable for handling sharp objects
  • water-repellent
  • No protection against solvents

Latex is now used less frequently due to its allergic effect. It is a robust, hard-wearing and durable material that is also suitable for handling sharp objects. It is also water-repellent and resistant to many acids and alkalis. However, it offers no protection against solvents.

Latex gloves - in which areas are they used? 

Thanks to their robust properties and protective function against pathogens, alcohols and acids, latex gloves are used in the medical and care sectors as well as in the catering industry. However, it should be noted in the catering sector that handling food containing fat and oil is not recommended.

Latex gloves are also suitable for the cosmetics sector, industry or the manual sector. However, the risk of allergies due to the material should generally be taken into account.

AttentionProtective gloves are used especially in laboratories or in areas of the healthcare sector where there are high protection requirements. For activities that are assigned to certain protection levels, there are certain requirements that the gloves must meet. These activities include contact with certain biological substances that pose a health risk. For example, working with dangerous pathogens in laboratories or clinics. In these areas, chemical protective gloves according to EN 374 are used, which fall under category III mentioned below.

Buying latex gloves - what you should look out for

When buying gloves, there are several aspects to consider, depending on the intended use. You may have to choose between powdered or non-powdered and sterile or non-sterile gloves. Depending on the area of application, gloves must also meet certain standards to which their manufacture is subject. In addition, protective gloves are assigned to different categories depending on the area of application and the associated risks. Furthermore, there are different types of chemical gloves depending on their resistance to chemicals.

Allergy risk due to latex and powder

As latex is a natural product, some people may be affected by a latex allergy. Due to the latex proteins contained in the gloves, they should be avoided by allergy sufferers. The corn starch powder used in the production process poses a further allergy risk. It is used to detach the gloves from the glove former. During the chlorination process, the gloves are washed out, but tiny powder particles may remain. The stronger the chlorination, the lower the proportion of dissolved latex proteins. However, this makes the gloves smoother and more slippery.

Polymer coatings can further reduce the risk of allergies.

Powdering: yes or no?

Gloves are available powdered or non-powdered. Powdered gloves offer both advantages and disadvantages. It should be noted that powdered gloves are prohibited in the medical sector, the food industry and the catering trade.

Advantages of powdered gloves

Powdered gloves make it easier to put on and take off, especially when your hands are damp or wet. They are particularly popular in the hot season or in southern countries. In the past, gloves were often used because of this advantage. In view of the disadvantages of powdering, powder-free versions are preferred nowadays.

Disadvantages of powdered gloves

The powder from the gloves can become airborne, especially when removing the gloves. It can also settle on surfaces, clothing and skin. The latter can then lead to skin irritation, itching, dry skin or irritated mucous membranes. Food can be contaminated by the powder. For these reasons, the wearing of powdered gloves is now prohibited in the medical and food sectors.

Sterile or non-sterile gloves?

Protective gloves are available either sterile or non-sterile. Sterile gloves, such as surgical gloves, protect both users and patients from infection. Non-sterile gloves, on the other hand, protect the user or staff from contact with infectious material (e.g. blood) and hazardous substances (e.g. surface disinfectants). The decision between sterile and non-sterile gloves should therefore be based on the requirements of the respective area of application.

Standards

The ISO 13485 standard, for example, is one of the most important standards that protective gloves made of latex should meet. It contains the requirements for comprehensive quality management for the design and manufacture of medical devices. The international EN ISO 21420:2020 standard applies to protective gloves. It replaces the previous EN 420 standard and covers the general requirements for protective gloves, such as performance, comfort and harmlessness.

The EN 455 and EN 374 standards include clear regulations for disposable medical gloves. EN 374 (1-5) regulates chemical resistance to chemicals and microorganisms. The EN 455 standard (1-4), on the other hand, deals with various criteria for disposable gloves and their impermeability, physical properties, biological evaluation and durability.

Whether the gloves are flawless and impermeable is tested with the so-called AQL value using a water impermeability test. The AQL value (Accepted Quality Level) is set at different levels, but is 1.5 for disposable examination gloves.

Categories

As already mentioned, there are different categories to which protective gloves are assigned depending on the risk situation. Chemical or examination gloves in accordance with EN 374 are only assigned to category III.

Overview: Risk categories 

  • Category I: Minimal risks - For tasks with low protection requirements, e.g. protection against dirt, gardening, mild cleaning agents
  • Category II: Medium risks - For protection against mechanical hazards, for example
  • Category III: High risks - To protect against irreversible damage or fatal hazards. E.g. due to chemicals, heat, cold, radiation, electricity

Types

Chemical gloves according to EN 374 (1-5), as used from protection level 2 in laboratories or in the healthcare sector, are divided into three different types:

Overview: Glove types

  • Type A Gloves fulfill at least performance level 2 and are resistant to at least six test chemicals from the list of 18 tested chemicals.
  • Type B Gloves also fulfill at least performance level 2 and are resistant to at least three test chemicals from the list of 18 tested chemicals.
  • Type C Gloves fulfill at least performance level 1 and are resistant to at least one test chemical from the list of 18 tested chemicals.

Protective gloves made of vinyl or nitrile are alternatives to latex gloves.