Disposable gloves are perhaps the most important “tool” in many facilities. There are several material options – but nitrile is arguably the best.
Nitrile gloves are widely used across many diverse sectors – from nitrile gloves for dentists to emergency services personnel, laboratory technicians, auto mechanics, tattooists, and everyone in between!
But what are nitrile gloves?
And how long have they been used?
What are Nitrile Gloves?
Best known for their use in the medical and dental industries, nitrile gloves are a low-allergenic alternative to (and a common replacement for) latex gloves and are used to protect wearers against chemicals, blood-borne pathogens, punctures, and more. They also help prevent cross-contamination of microorganisms between people, including viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other toxins.
What is Nitrile?
Nitrile is a type of synthetic rubber. Its production occurs in a chemistry laboratory and it is a much simpler, more cost-effective process than that of producing natural latex rubber.
A Short History of Nitrile Gloves…
Patented in 1934 by German chemists Erich Konrad and Eduard Tschunkur, nitrile butadine rubber or NBR is a synthetic product that was first used in the manufacture of rubber seals and tyres.
It was not until decades later, however, that the first 100% nitrile disposable glove was produced in the 1980s, and this production formula and method was patented in 1991 by Luc DeBecker and Neil Tillotson. These gloves gained wide popularity in the industrial sector before eventually gaining traction in the medical field.
The demand for nitrile gloves skyrocketed during the global AIDS epidemic and they continue to be produced in vast numbers.
Why is Nitrile so Popular for Gloves?
Nitrile is now the preferred disposable glove material globally. It rivals latex in terms of comfort, feel, and fit, and both latex and vinyl in terms of strength. It is much more resistant to punctures, abrasion, and chemicals than other materials. It can withstand many dozens of common chemicals, including acids, mineral oils, vegetable oils, gasoline, grease, and diesel fuel.
Its popularity also lies in its freedom from organic latex proteins, to which a significant number of people are sensitive or allergic. (Latex can cause severe allergic reactions in some people, including hives, rashes, and even anaphylaxis).
As such, nitrile is ideal for use by people who have physical contact with the general public, including doctors, nurses, tattooists and piercers, paramedics, security personnel and police, and salon staff. It’s also ideal for everything from janitorial to food preparation, plumbing, and industrial applications.
Choose Nitrile Gloves for:
ü Strength and Durability
ü Superior grip
ü Powder-Free
ü Outstanding Comfort for long wear periods
ü Unrivalled Dexterity – mould to the hand for ideal fit
ü Strength and Cut Reduction
ü High Chemical Resistance
ü Cost-Efficiency
ü Latex-Free
ü Impervious to Most Substances
ü Diverse Application Suitability
ü Easy identification of snags
(There are some conditions under which nitrile gloves are not suitable – including where thermal protection is needed, as well as when handling hazardous chemicals including ketones, acetates, concentrated acids, corrosive chemicals, and aromatic solvents.)
There is no better, safer way to protect yourself, your workers, and the general public than by using disposable nitrile gloves – and they are widely available online from reputable medical and dental suppliers.
