Jun. 30, 2025
Chemicals
Natural rubber latex gloves, often simply referred to as latex gloves, offer good resistance towards acids and alkalis.* However, they are permeable to many solvents. Due to their outstanding elongation, latex gloves are very comfortable to wear and traditionally provide optimal fit and feel. One main disadvantage is that natural latex proteins can cause or trigger natural rubber latex allergies.
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Nitrile gloves are made of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), a synthetic material. They can be used as an alternative glove choice for people suffering from an allergy to natural rubber latex. A significant advantage is the improved resistance towards many chemicals* as well as oils.
Vinyl gloves are a cost-efficient alternative when mechanical stress and barrier protection are less of a factor. Their skin-friendly material is suitable for users suffering from latex or chemical allergies. A disadvantage is that the use of plasticizers as the key component in the production of vinyl gloves excludes their use in handling of lipids and fatty foods. Furthermore, the comfort of wearing vinyl gloves is less compared to nitrile or latex gloves, mainly a result of the limited elasticity of vinyl.
* CAUTION: Before gloves are used in contact with chemicals, please consult the chemical resistance lists, which can be found here. Failure to observe this information can result in personal injury and/or material damage. In case of doubt obtain expert advice before use.
Material
The most commonly used raw materials in the production of disposable gloves are natural rubber latex (NR gloves), polyisoprene latex (IR gloves), nitrile butadiene rubber latex (NBR gloves) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC gloves).
Size & shape
Disposable examination and protective gloves are usually available in various sizes ranging from XS to XL and can be equally worn on the left or on the right hand (ambidextrous shape). In contrast, surgical gloves are anatomically shaped (specifically for the left or right hand) and offered in a larger variety of sizes.
Texture
Gloves are offered in several different textures, from smooth to fingertip or fully textured varieties depending on the application. Our surgical gloves come with a micro-rough surface.
Inner treatment
Disposable gloves can either be powdered or powder-free. Powdered gloves offer the advantage of easier donning even with moist hands. In general, powder-free natural rubber gloves are more skin tolerable as they contain fewer chemical residues and water-soluble proteins thanks to the manufacturing process. Potential irritations are also minimised due to the absence of powder. For powder-free gloves, special manufacturing processes such as synthetic inner coating or chlorination facilitate easier donning.
Colour
Disposable gloves come in various colours depending on colour preference or any required usage recommendation (e.g. blue colour for HACCP compliance for use in the food industry).
Sterility
Non-sterile gloves are mainly used for hygienic purposes or for self-protection, whereas sterile gloves are used for sterile procedures in hospitals or laboratories, where a contamination of patients and/or handled materials must be avoided.
A latex allergy can be prevented by using gloves which are free from natural rubber latex, such as nitrile or PVC, chloroprene of synthetic polyisoprene gloves, or by using powder-free latex gloves with a reduced protein concentration. If natural rubber gloves are used be sure to use only powder free gloves featuring a low protein level.
Often underestimated, but important and a basic point to prevent an allergy is consistent skin care. Hands should be dried properly after washing, not only before donning. The use of lotions prevents the skin from dehydrating and helps to keep the protective function of the glove.
Powder-free gloves undergo an intensive leaching and washing process in order to ensure that the leachable protein level is as low as possible. However, for technical reasons it is not possible to remove latex proteins exhaustively – and as such the potential risk for sensitised users and patients. Consequently, as part of risk control measures for any glove made from natural rubber it must be clearly indicated on the primary packaging that the glove contains natural rubber latex, and an additional warning must be included that the product may lead to allergic reactions. According to EN 455-3, the lowest protein level that a manufacturer is allowed to claim is 50 µg/g. This is due to systematic uncertainties in the protein quantification.
The two relevant regulatory pillars for disposable gloves in Europe are the Medical Device Regulation EU /745 ("MDR") and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Regulation (EU) /425 ("PPER"). The former refers to the protection of healthcare professionals and patients, the latter to the protection of PPE users.
Medical devices are categorized into different classes depending on the range of risk involved for the patient. Relevant classes for disposable gloves are:
The basic standard for single-use medical gloves is the EN 455 series, which defines the requirements for freedom from holes, physical properties, dimensions, test methods for biological evaluation, labelling requirements and especially also requirements concerning the expiry date.
Medical Device Regulation EU /745, replacing Medical Device Directive (93/42/EEC), has come into force on 26 May . All market participants must meet the new requirements.
PPEs are divided into three different categories depending on the risk against which they are intended to provide protection:
For gloves labelled as PPE the basic standard is EN (which superseded EN 420). This norm defines the general requirements for protective gloves, e.g., the contents of the information for users, the safety of the glove material as well as the characteristics of the product (e.g., length, size, etc.). For chemical protection gloves, additionally EN ISO 374-series applies. This standard defines the specific requirements like penetration (movement of chemicals through material defects), chemical permeation (movement of chemicals through the glove film), degradation (deterioration of the glove material), and viral penetration.
Permeation describes the process in which a chemical diffuses and moves through intact glove material. It is usually indicated by the breakthrough time, meaning the time it takes a chemical to move completely through the material. Chemical permeation is normally tested according to EN -1. For more stringent test requirements (e.g., when testing the permeation of chemotherapy drugs or other high-risk substances like fentanyl), the applicable test standard is ASTM D. Due to the increasing demand for chemical protective gloves, more attention is being paid to their resistance to various chemicals. We have imposed a requirement on our products to carry out chemical permeation tests on an ongoing basis in order to permanently control the quality of the gloves. The standard requires to specify these results in levels (defined in EN ISO 374-1). We pass on these levels to our customers by means of the permeation lists that are published annually. Read more about our specifications here.
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The perceived high quality of a glove is often associated with higher weight, which is not necessarily true. Innovative formulations and well-optimised processes allow the production of high-quality, lower weight gloves. Such gloves can be produced with very low wall thickness (which allows a high tactile sense) while still surpassing normative safety requirements.
To reduce costs, some manufacturers use fillers which tend to be heavier than the polymers used in the glove. The moderate use of filler is common in the glove industry and does not have a negative impact on glove properties, whereas the excessive use of fillers deteriorates a glove’s quality.In addition, further factors affecting glove quality include the quality of raw materials used, specific formulations, manufacturing process and quality inspection system.
Gloves that are suitable for food contact can be identified by the glass and fork symbol, which is subject to specific EU regulations that govern articles intended to come into contact with food.
The framework regulation EC / lays down the general requirements for all materials and articles (e.g., gloves) intended to come into contact with food. Platstic materials, such as vinyl, are subject to the EU regulation 10/, which determines specific requirements for products containing vinyl that may come into contact with food. Latex and nitrile products however are only regulated on a national level, e.g., in Germany upon the recommendation of materials for food contact of the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) or in France by the law “Arrêté du 8 Août .
Glove selection should be based on the nature and potential hazard of the substances dealt with as well as the type of exposure. Thin disposable gloves are designed for incidental contact with chemicals, providing good barrier and basic chemical protection combined with good tactility and wearing comfort. In general, a higher thickness correlates with higher breakthrough times – but this is only valid for the same material. Nitrile gloves are usually preferred over disposable latex and vinyl gloves because of their enhanced chemical resistance.
IMPORTANT: If in doubt, please contact the glove manufacturer and ask for assistance in selecting the most appropriate glove.
We are always happy to help you decide which gloves fit your needs. Simply contact us via sempermed@harpsglobal.com.
For information about the chemical resistance of our gloves visit the chemical resistance page.
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Chemotherapy drugs are highly toxic and are increasingly used as therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer. Appropriate hand protection against chemotherapy drug exposure is vital, which is why gloves should be selected in accordance with the specific type of chemical used. Using a nitrile examination glove may be a viable alternative for the handling of cytotoxic drugs, whereas a surgical glove made of natural rubber latex or synthetic polyisoprene latex is recommended for the preparation of chemotherapy drugs. In any case, gloves using ASTM D- to test for resistance against chemotherapy drugs should be chosen. Gloves should always be checked for damage before use. Moreover, double donning is generally recommended to increase protection.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website NBR Latex for laboratory gloves.
Further reading:There are three common types of disposable gloves. Choosing the right kind can help you save money, keep your hands protected, and get jobs done. Here’s a comparison of vinyl vs nitrile vs latex gloves at a glance.
Latex GlovesVinyl GlovesNitrile GlovesHighly elastic, flexible, and suitable for precision actions.Thin, flexible, and high touch sensitivity.Resistant to various chemicals, solvents, acids, and biohazards.Low risk of punctures and tears, although damage to gloves can be hard to detect.Cheap and cost-effective for low-risk tasks.Tear and puncture-resistant.Medium tolerance to some chemicals.Suitable for short-time wear.Latex-free.Made of natural rubber latex, which some people are allergic to.Non-static properties.Strong and flexible with high touch sensitivity.In addition to these traditional options, we are now proud to offer biodegradable nitrile gloves, combining the durability and chemical resistance of standard nitrile gloves with an environmentally friendly design. Buy disposable gloves here. Order as many as you need and get a delivery straight to your door.
Disposable gloves provide an essential protective barrier between skin and a potentially infectious or harmful substance. When used in healthcare, gloves provide the first line of defence for healthcare workers against bloodborne pathogens when attending to sick patients.
But disposable gloves aren’t just used by doctors and surgeons. Mechanics, laboratory technicians, factory workers, and even hairdressers use disposable gloves to protect from chemical substances that could harm their skin.
HSE states in its guide to selecting the right disposable gloves that:
“There are four requirements which must be met for any protective glove selected to be suitable. The glove must: be appropriate for the risk(s) and the conditions where it is used; take into account the ergonomic requirements and state of health of the person wearing it; fit the wearer correctly, if necessary, after adjustments; either prevent or control the risk involved without increasing the overall risk.”
So what's the difference between latex, nitrile and vinyl gloves, and how do you know which ones you should use?
The difference between nitrile, latex, and vinyl gloves can make a job safer, easier, and more efficient; you can even save some money. If you’re wondering ‘are nitrile and vinyl gloves the same?’ or ‘are nitrile and latex gloves the same?’ you can find out in this guide.
It’s important to know the difference between nitrile and vinyl gloves; your personal safety could depend on it if you work in an environment with harsh chemicals or sharp objects. Are nitrile gloves better than vinyl? We usually recommend nitrile gloves for high-risk tasks such as those in labs, medical settings, and engineering. Vinyl gloves are better suited to low-risk tasks like general cleaning and hygiene. Choosing nitrile or vinyl gloves depends on the tasks at hand.
There are some essential differences between latex and nitrile gloves that will affect your decision too. Are nitrile gloves better than latex? It depends. Nitrile gloves are considerably stronger than latex, and there’s no risk of a latex-allergic reaction from nitrile. However, latex gloves are likely to be a significantly cheaper (but lower quality) option. Choosing nitrile or latex gloves is down to your business operations. Find out more below.
Nitrile gloves are sometimes called medical-grade gloves because they offer the highest level of protection in examinations and surgery. Nitrile gloves are known for their high tolerance of biohazards like blood, corrosive substances like hydrogen peroxide, and a wide range of solvents and other oil-based chemicals.
Nitrile gloves are made from copolymer nitrile butadiene rubber derived from bonding two chemicals: acrylonitrile and butadiene. These chemicals give nitrile gloves their chemical resistance and flexibility. Nitrile gloves are also puncture-resistant, and their composition means that if they do break, they are more likely to split, meaning no minute tears or punctures will go unnoticed, and the contamination can be dealt with quickly.
Because of this, nitrile gloves are used not only in healthcare and medical examinations but also in the automotive and mechanical industries. They are even used in beauty services like tattooing and piercing, where sharp tools are used that could compromise the protective barrier between the skin and harmful materials.
We offer biodegradable nitrile gloves which have the same high-level protection, flexibility, and chemical resistance as traditional nitrile gloves but with the added benefit of being more environmentally sustainable.
Comparing nitrile vs latex gloves' mechanical benefits or nitrile vs latex gloves chemical resistance benefits, nitrile will always come out on top because of its robust barrier that protects against corrosive materials and substances.
The highly protective nature of nitrile gloves meant that for some time, they were very tough and didn’t afford a good level of dexterity and sensitivity. But thanks to advances in manufacturing, nitrile gloves are now made with a touch sensitivity akin to latex gloves, meaning they can be used to perform high-precision tasks and worn for extended periods. They are also often made in a range of sizes to ensure a close fit.
Latex gloves have been the recommended protection in the medical world for decades against bloodborne pathogens. They are made from thin latex rubber, making them highly flexible, malleable, and offering excellent touch sensitivity. Because of this, latex gloves are a good option when performing tasks that are detail-oriented and high precision, like surgery, medical examinations, and dental work.
Unfortunately, because of their material makeup, latex gloves can cause allergic reactions in people who suffer from latex allergies.
Despite the benefits of nitrile as a highly protective material for gloves, latex affords more elasticity and touch sensitivity. Latex gloves offer moderate resistance to tearing and puncturing, but the material also conceals breakages well, meaning the protective barrier could be breached and holes and tears go unnoticed.
Latex gloves also offer medium-level protection against some chemicals that can damage the skin, such as sodium peroxide and sulphuric acid.
The latex glove is an excellent go-to disposable glove for protection against potentially harmful substances, prevention of cross-contamination from germs on hands, and protection of the skin. But only if the wearer and anyone else coming into contact with the gloves do not have a latex allergy. If you plan to use your gloves when making physical contact with someone else, such as a patient or customer, ensure they do not have a latex allergy or opt for nitrile or vinyl gloves instead.
The difference between latex and nitrile gloves comes down to the task at hand and personal preference. When considering nitrile vs latex work gloves or latex vs nitrile gloves for food, use your discretion to choose either option. You may want a cheaper but lower-quality glove, so a latex glove is a good option. If you want more protection and a better fit while avoiding latex use, choose a nitrile glove.
Vinyl is the most lightweight of the three disposable glove types. As such, vinyl gloves are the most widely available and cost-effective option but aren’t suitable for high-risk tasks involving a more significant infection or injury risk.
Vinyl gloves won’t stand up to long periods of wear. They are usually more loose-fitting than nitrile or latex gloves that need to offer a close fit. Made from polyvinyl chloride, otherwise known as PVC, vinyl gloves are best suited to cleaning operations and other tasks that don’t involve any corrosive chemicals but where the extra degree of barrier protection helps to keep hygiene levels high and protect the skin on the hands from repeated exposure to substances and actions that dry it out.
The difference between nitrile, latex, and vinyl gloves is usually in the degree of protection needed. Nitrile gloves are required when handling sodium hydroxide in a lab to protect against the risk of spillage. However, using nitrile gloves when preparing sandwiches in a commercial kitchen could be considered overkill. Staff could get through several pairs of gloves in a day in the kitchen, which could become an expensive investment for the business owner. Using vinyl gloves would be far more cost-effective and fulfil the purpose of protecting the food from skin contact.
Blue vinyl gloves should be used in food prep environments under HSE guidance to minimise the risk of food contamination. While vinyl gloves are an excellent solution for various food prep tasks, they are not approved for handling fatty foods. This is because phthalate plasticisers are not chemically bound to the PVC from which vinyl gloves are made and can evaporate into the fatty foods and become soluble. In this case, nitrile gloves are recommended.
Vinyl is anti-static and protects against shocks and chafing when stripping back sheaths on cords and wires, so vinyl gloves are well suited to some electricians’ work.
When comparing vinyl vs latex vs nitrile gloves, vinyl gloves are the best short-term solution in a wide range of cases. Generally, vinyl gloves are a cheap and easy option when you need temporary protection for a low-risk job. Vinyl gloves can protect from low-level hazards, maintain good levels of hygiene, minimise cross-contamination, and make certain jobs more tolerable by protecting the skin on the hands from contact.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of synthomer nbr latex. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
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