Nitrile and Latex Gloves
Nitrile and Latex Gloves
Gloves can be very useful in different contexts and situations. For example, they can serve as health protection when carrying out certain care, or when attending to the care of other people or relatives. They also protect hands in professions exposed to harmful microorganisms, and at home, when in contact with aggressive hygiene products.
The protection of the hands against possible harmful external agents, bacteria or viruses, is very important when it comes to ensuring our health and taking care of our hygiene. When working in healthcare areas with patients who may be contagious or require exquisite neatness when dealing with them, gloves are an essential tool, just as when working with food handling or cleaning activities with chemicals that may be harmful to the skin. They also protect hands in professions exposed to harmful microorganisms, and at home, when in contact with aggressive hygiene products.
-Latex Gloves: Latex gloves can be presented in two formats, with or without powder inside. They are both valid options, and have great elasticity, adapting perfectly to the hands and fingers. They have a smooth and uniform surface and are presented in a wide variety of formats and packs, for more occasional use or for daily use.
-Nitrile Gloves: For those people who suffer allergic reactions to latex, or for those whose skin is more sensitive and does not react well to the use of this material, there are alternatives through gloves made with nitrile. Likewise, there may be options without or without powder, with textured fingers or with the internal part treated with a polymeric coating that provides a very soft touch to avoid irritation.
-Latex-free gloves: Other latex-free options are vinyl gloves, with characteristics very similar to gloves made of latex.
What requirements must the gloves meet?
It is desirable for gloves to comply with certain regulations (in particular, the MDD Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC) to demonstrate that they have been tried and tested successfully against various agreed standards:
EN 455-1: Medical gloves for single use. Requirements and tests to determine the absence of holes.
EN 455-2: Medical gloves for single use. Requirements and tests for the determination of physical properties.
EN 455-3: Medical gloves for single use. Requirements and tests for biological evaluation.
EN 455-4: Medical gloves for single use. Requirements and tests for the determination of useful life.