Many medical industries require staff to wear personal protective equipment, known as PPE, to safely and efficiently perform their tasks. Disposable gloves are valuable for numerous applications, protecting both the staff member and the patients or items they handle. There are various materials gloves are made from and it’s crucial to understand the benefits and limitations of each.
Nitrile gloves have become the professionals choice in disposable glove across most sectors of the healthcare industry.
The blogging team have had a close look at why the Nitrile glove has become so popular. After research, we understand why this glove has become so popular and share the findings here:
Its high durability, high chemical resistance and no risk of latex allergies has made the nitrile glove the go to option for medical industry across Australia.
So What Is Nitrile?
Nitrile rubber, also known as Buna-N or NBR, is a synthetic rubber copolymer derived from acrylonitrile (ACN) and butadiene molecules. Nitrile rubber can vary in its chemical resistance and physical properties. More acrylonitrile will increase the rubber’s resistance to swelling from oil and produce a stronger material. Nitrile rubber with less acrylonitrile is more flexible.
Nitrile is a versatile elastomer, widely used for its general properties like high tensile strength, high puncture resistance, chemical and oil resistance and hypoallergenic qualities. Gloves constructed from nitrile have become relied across many industries to protect against the numerous hazards in medical and industrial applications. Nitrile’s versatility allows for the construction of both heavy-duty and tactile-focused gloves. The gloves are available in multiple different styles, including general-purpose, examination, sterile, non-sterile and chemo-related options.
Nitrile gloves intended for medical protective purposes must comply with various specifications for safety and effectiveness. Workplaces putting their work force at risk need to supply properly tested and certified products to their staff members. In Australia and New Zealand the standards that single-use medical gloves must comply with are as follows:
AS/NZS 4011.1:2014. Standards Australia Limited/Standards New Zealand 2014, Single-use medical examination gloves Part 1: Specification for gloves made from rubber latex or rubber solution1
AS/NZS 4179:2014. Standards Australia Limited/Standards New Zealand 2014, Single-use sterile rubber surgical gloves–Specification1
1Standards New Zealand 2017, About us, viewed 2 March 2020, <https://www.standards.govt.nz/about-us/>
Evaluate the usability of each glove type to determine which material will best suit your requirements. Gloves are in demand for their performance for these main reasons:
- Puncture resistance and durability
- Chemical resistance
- Cost-effectiveness
- Comfort and flexibility
- Tactile sensitivity
- Level of risk for a Type 1 allergic reaction
Nitrile gloves intended for medical purposes must be powder-free and accurately sized. They should cover the wearer’s wrist and fit snugly on their hands to effectively prevent exposure.
Why Are Nitrile Gloves So Popular?
Many medical professionals prefer nitrile gloves for applications that involve hazardous contaminants, infection risks, chemicals, hot oils or extreme temperatures. Nitrile rubber is currently the most popular material in the healthcare industry for examination gloves.
Other industries that use nitrile gloves for PPE include healthcare, automotive, food services, tattoo services and many more. Nitrile gloves are the top choice for medical examination gloves in most facilities. Doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals appreciate the durable protection and puncture resistance of nitrile rubber. Medical staff can encounter numerous viruses and chemicals every day, and nitrile gloves minimize the risk of infection spread between the wearer and the various patients in their care.
Any task that involves needles, incisions or open wound care requires PPE. Nitrile gloves protect the worker’s hands with a durable barrier against bloodborne pathogens. Medical staff can encounter numerous viruses and chemicals every day, and nitrile gloves minimize the risk of infection spread between the wearer and the various patients in their care. Its additional protection against harsh cleaning products and disinfectants make nitrile a versatile choice for medical glove material.
How Do Nitrile Gloves Differ From Latex Gloves?
Nitrile gloves and latex gloves are the most comparable options for medical and industrial applications. Unlike nitrile, a synthetic rubber polymer, latex is a natural rubber — meaning that latex gloves are a biodegradable, renewable resource. Common uses for nitrile and latex are similar and include personal protection for general industry and healthcare applications. While latex remains a popular choice for surgical gloves, nitrile rubber is a favorite for medical examination gloves.
This distinction between applications is primarily due to the associated risk levels for a Type 1 allergic reaction from both wearers and patients. Nitrile rubber offer no chance of latex allergies which is an aversion many people have. More countries are taking legal precautions against latex use in specific industries. Due to its comparable sensitivity, durability and barrier protection to latex, nitrile has become the go-to alternative for general purpose and exam gloves.
When allergy isn’t a concern, latex gloves offer higher dexterity and comfort during operations requiring precision. Surgeons, dentists and other healthcare workers generally prefer latex gloves, though it’s essential to stock gloves of both materials and ask about patients’ latex allergies before use. Despite their inferior flexibility, nitrile gloves offer higher puncture resistance and may be advantageous for resistance to hazardous or corrosive chemicals.
How Do Nitrile Gloves Differ From Vinyl Gloves?
Vinyl gloves feature synthetic polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which uses plasticizers to soften the material into a wearable product. Despite the material-softening process, vinyl gloves can sometimes fit loose on the skin — a factor that can be desirable or dangerous depending on the application. Vinyl materials allow for easy application and removal in low-risk environments. Still, a loose fit will increase the potential for contaminants to get underneath the glove and onto the skin.
Vinyl gloves are a latex-free, disposable option widely used in food service and hospitality. However, these industries have also started to incorporate nitrile gloves into routine use as a more durable alternative. Due to the molecular structure of PVC, vinyl gloves have limited performance and barrier protection against germs and viruses. They have an increased risk of breakage and cross-contamination between the wearer and the products they touch. In comparison, nitrile has higher tensile strength and maintains its integrity against routine stretching and elongation.
While vinyl gloves have less chemical resistance, they work exceptionally well for beauty salons that work with nail polish or hair dyes. Vinyl is an economical alternative for non-hazardous environments. When the risk of infection is low, vinyl gloves offer adequate protection for low-level safety concerns at an affordable price. If a higher protection level is required, consider nitrile gloves instead.
How Are Nitrile Gloves Different From TPE Gloves?
Thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) gloves are a lightweight construction of a plastic-based latex alternative. TPE material features a stamp-and-seal technique, ensuring suitable barrier integrity for low-risk and short-term applications. TPE gloves are perfect for use in food handling, beauty salons and some clinical applications. In contrast, nitrile is more appropriate for higher-risk environments where prolonged durability is a must.
Both nitrile and TPE have waterproof properties and resistance to certain liquids. The embossed texture and waterproof quality of TPE gloves allow for a more secure grip during food handling and other low-risk applications. Nitrile gloves have a greater resistance to hazardous and corrosive liquids, making them useful for low-risk and high-risk settings.
TPE gloves are the most economical choice for environments where workers frequently change and discard gloves. They offer a flexible range of motion and a comfortable fit for workplaces with minimal risk of infection.
Why Are Nitrile Gloves So Popular?
Many industries choose to supply nitrile gloves to their staff members due to their versatility. A wide range of advantages contribute to the growing popularity and include:
- Strong barrier protection: Nitrile gloves have high tensile strength and greater barrier protection against bloodborne pathogens and hazardous contaminants. This strong barrier protection is a result of nitrile’s advanced puncture resistance properties. Nitrile gloves are the most durable option available for medical and industrial use.
- High puncture resistance: Nitrile gloves offer high abrasion resistance and are three to five times more puncture resistant than latex alternatives. Because nitrile rubber is highly puncture-resistant, nitrile gloves are preferred when there’s a high exposure risk to bloodborne pathogens or infection.
- Greater chemical resistance: Nitrile rubber provides reliable resistance to chemicals, acids and petroleum-based liquids. This resistance covers any oils, fuels, alcohols, hydraulic fluids and silicone greases workers may encounter in high-risk industrial environments.
- Latex-free: Nitrile is a dependable, hypoallergenic alternative for people suffering from latex allergies. Staff members with latex allergies can work safely and comfortably in nitrile gloves. When workers wear nitrile gloves, contact between the wearer and the patients or products they handle will have no risk of causing latex reactions.
- Comfortable fit: Nitrile gloves conform to the wearer’s hands for a snug and comfortable fit. Nitrile gloves limit exposure risks by ensuring the protective material covers the skin thoroughly. When handling hazardous or corrosive chemicals, nitrile gloves offer a strong barrier over the skin and prevent contaminants from getting underneath the glove, too.
- Tactile sensitivity: Nitrile gloves offer decent tactile sensitivity so workers can handle tools and procedures with the necessary precision. Workers can withstand harsh applications while maintaining an appropriate level of dexterity. Their lower coefficient of friction also ensures an easy donning and doffing process.
- Temperature resistance: Nitrile rubber remains functional in conditions ranging from minus 40 degrees to 226 degrees Fahrenheit. This property is beneficial for applications involving hot oils and chemical reactions where workers can expect extreme temperatures.
- Nontoxic: Nitrile gloves are food safe with thicknesses up to 3 millimeters for food service regulations. Nitrile’s nontoxic and latex-free properties allow for safe use in food service industries across the United States.
- Waterproof: Nitrile gloves provide a secure grip in wet and dry conditions. Waterproof gloves are ideal for many applications, including food services, medical and dental care, janitorial and sanitation services, child care and more.
- Extended shelf life: Nitrile rubber has a low compression set. This feature means nitrile gloves will return to their original shape after being compressed into their packaging.
Shop For Nitrile Gloves Online From Critical Dental
Members of the blogging team have had personal experience obtaining disposable nitrile gloves from Sydney based Critical Dental who you can buy surgical gloves online from and they deliver across Australia. Whether you require chemical-resistant gloves or a latex-free alternative for low-risk environments, nitrile gloves offer balanced properties that meet the standards for various applications and Critical Dental provide them all.
You can view the range of nitrile gloves they stock here: https://criticaldental.com.au/medicom-vitals-nitrile-gloves/
You can view their full range of surgical gloves they stock here: https://criticaldental.com.au/cardinal-health-protexis-sterile-latex-surgical-gloves-box-50-pairs/
