How to Choose the Right Disposable Gloves for COVID Safety

 

In the before times, most of us never deeply thought about personal protective equipment. But as the once-in-a-century virus outbreak triggered unprecedented health concerns, the world almost started to revolve around PPEs. Be it face masks, hand sanitizer, or disposable gloves, we now know how crucial they are for public health. Face masks and sanitizer have already risen to celebrity status in the medical supply industry. In this post, we will rather discuss a comparatively less-talked-about PPE: disposable gloves.

Disposable gloves have undergone a remarkable evolution over the past years. As personal protective equipment manufacturers improved their process, gloves transformed from what it was during its invention in the late 19th century. The use of disposable examination gloves became popular among medical professionals during the global HIV outbreak in the late 20th century. Health care workers started using disposable gloves to avoid exposure to the bodily fluids of infected persons. At that time, only latex gloves were available.

Types of Disposable Gloves

Today, at least three major categories of disposable gloves are available. They are manufactured by a large number of PPE suppliers in the USA and elsewhere in the world. As the word is raged by the deadly virus outbreak, the demands for disposable gloves have surged overwhelmingly. But you must know what kind of gloves is most suitable for your purpose. In the following paragraphs, we will briefly discuss the key characteristics of latex, nitrile, and vinyl gloves.

Latex Gloves

As the name suggests, latex gloves are made from latex rubber. Latex rubber is produced by plants. Latex gloves have long been popular in the medical care industry. Its so-called second-skin-like fitting makes it convenient for the wearer. Apart from medical professionals, latex gloves are also used by other industrial workers.

Latex gloves have the highest level of touch and tactile sensitivity. The elasticity of latex gives the gloves superior strength and. They are biodegradable and cost-effective. However, latex allergy is a global phenomenon. And that’s why synthetic alternatives are more popular.

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber. And a growing number of PPE suppliers in the medical industry are making them amid the pandemic induced demands. Since nitrile gloves don’t contain latex, it’s a great alternative when latex allergy is a concern. Nitrile gloves are often referred to as “medical-grade gloves.” The texture of nitryl gloves either reduces the surface friction or enhances the grip.

Nitrile gloves have significantly higher puncture resistance than other categories. They are also inherently more chemical resistant than latex gloves. Most PPE suppliers in the USA sell nitrile gloves as their major category of gloves. Nitrile gloves have close-fitting like latex gloves. On the downside, they are more expensive and non-biodegradable. Besides, nitrile gloves provide other environmental benefits as well. They are easy to store and transport that makes them better in terms of footprints on the environment.

Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves, like the nitrile ones, are synthetic and have different characteristics. This type of gloves is less expensive. They provide adequate protection in situations where durability and protection are less of a priority. Vinyl gloves are particularly popular in the food industry. For workers of the food industry, hazardous substances are not common, and the gloves’ turnover rate is usually high.

Vinyl gloves are comfortable and cost-effective. However, they usually don’t fit closely. These gloves are also highly susceptible to puncture due to lower puncture resistance.

Wrapping up

Disposable gloves have become a staple for our life. They are likely to remain an important commodity in not just the medical supply chain but the overall retail industry. As we become more conscious about personal hygiene and public health safety measures gloves and other PPE will continue to dominate our lifestyles. Co-Defend, one of the top bulk PPE suppliers in the USA, is poised to help you practice all COVID safety measures. We are all in this together. And that’s the only way to end this pandemic.