We use disposable gloves to protect ourselves against chemical, biological and physical stress and to protect our samples, e.g. sensitive chemical reactions or biological material.
It is crucial that you choose the right type of disposable glove for the job in question. Gloves cause a false sense of safety if they are not suited for the situation.
Disposable chemical protection gloves
When in contact with chemicals, radioactivity etc. your hands must be protected as best as possible. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the chemical protection glove which is best suited for the purpose.
The higher the breakthrough time, the longer time from contact until the chemical passes through the glove. Please note, however, that the real breakthrough time is approximately one third of what is listed, as the listed breakthrough times do not take into consideration the warmth from your hands and the stretching of the material by your hands.
Additionally, it is important that the glove fits and feels comfortable, in order to ensure a good grip when handling your samples.
At the moment the selection of gloves is changing compared to what can be obtained at the market. Look at a selection here.
Chemical glove materials
Nitrile gloves are made from artificial rubber, thus a synthetic material. Nitrile gloves vary in elasticity, thickness and shape. Nitrile is resistant to mechanical stress, oils, fat and many chemicals.
Neoprene gloves (chloroprene gloves) are manufactured from a synthetic material. The material protects you from a wide range of chemicals, among which are alcohols, acids and oil based chemicals. The material is similar to nitrile regarding elasticity and chemical protection.
Please note that the breakthrough time is determined by the manufacturing process, not by the glove material itself.
Glove allergy and skin irritation
The use of disposable chemical protection gloves can cause allergy for some people. If you suspect allergy, contact your physician and your local health and safety representative in order to get a replacement, or a break from the lab work requiring gloves.
If you already have skin allergy or irritation before you start working in the laboratory, please contact your lab manager or you local health and safety representative.
If you have a tendency to experience skin irritation when you skin is damp or cold, you can use thin cotton gloves underneath the disposable chemical protection gloves.
How to use chemical protection gloves
The chemical protection gloves should be used only when necessary and for as brief a period of time as possible.
You are not allowed to use gloves when answering the telephone, when typing on the computer, when touching door handles and, most importantly, not outside the laboratory (please note that different rules apply in Class 2 laboratories).
You should not use gloves when working with naked flames. If it is deemed necessary to use gloves during such work, is has to be preceded with thorough instruction and kept under enhanced control.
The disposable glove must be removed when the laboratory procedure is finished, paused or changed. If working in a fume hood, the gloves must be left in the fume hood when this is left.
If the glove is contaminated, it should be removed before the chemical breakthrough time is reached. If no breakthrough time is known for the chemical, the gloves should be removed immediately if contaminated.
After each use of gloves, wash your hands and use moisturizer if needed.