A Complete Guide to Nitrile Gloves

Are you currently employed at a workplace that requires you to wear protective gloves while you’re on the clock? If so, you might consider replacing your latex gloves with ones made from nitrile.

Nitrile gloves uses patented technology to provide you with thicker and more durable hand protection. They see use in food services, laboratory and medical offices and industrial workplaces.

Despite their qualifications for various workplace uses, you might still be wary about switching the material of your protective gloves. You may previously have thought that latex was the safest and most durable option for disposable gloves. The rise in popularity of nitrile gloves may have sparked you to ask questions like, “what are nitrile gloves made of,” or “are nitrile gloves safe to use”?

These are important questions to ask yourself before you begin using any new protective gear. It is always a good idea to properly research potential protective equipment before you begin implementing it into your workplace routine.

We have gathered the answers to commonly asked questions about nitrile gloves to aid you in your research process. We hope that this overview will help you determine if nitrile gloves are the best fit for you and your workplace.

Powder Free Black NITRILE Gloves – 100 Piece

What Are Nitrile Gloves Made Of?

Nitrile gloves consist of a synthetic co-polymer material that is created by re-processing latex. Manufacturers gather raw materials from rubber trees and process them until they become latex materials. Acrylonitrile and butadiene are added in the re-processing stage to create a nitrile compound. Nitrile gloves uses this re-processing method to increase its strength and remove latex proteins, which allows the nitrile compound to be less allergenic than latex material.

Are There Different Types of Nitrile Gloves?

There are several types of nitrile gloves that can accommodate for different tasks and workplaces. Nitrile gloves can be made with varying levels of thickness to present you with safety and dexterity. The standard nitrile glove is between six and eight millimeters thick, but thicker variations can offer more protection for projects that use harsher chemicals. However, the thicker and more protective the glove is, the less dexterity it has. You will have to balance your need for protection with your need to be nimble.

Nitrile gloves can also feature various levels of gripping power. They’re naturally smooth to allow you to easily transverse your workplace while you are working on dry surfaces or projects. A micro-roughened finish adds extra texture to the nitrile gloves and provides you with heightened gripping power. The addition of textured grip enables you to hold fast to even wet or slick surfaces.

There are also powdered and powder-free nitrile gloves. Powdered gloves are easy to put on and pull off and help to absorb access moisture. However, their ease of use is diminished by their tendency to leave powdery smudges and hand prints on you and your projects. If you’re looking for a less messy and smoother glove, the powder-free glove might be the right fit for you. It’s coated in a chlorinated or polymer finish that prevents you from leaving fingerprint marks on the objects you touch.

Nitrile gloves are also color-coded, allowing you to easily locate the right glove for your workplace.

Powder Free Blue NITRILE Gloves – 100 Piece

What are Black Nitrile Gloves Used For?

Black nitrile gloves are ideal for use in industrial workplaces due to their durability against chemicals. They are thick enough to prevent injury as you use harsh chemicals while allowing you to keep the necessary amount of dexterity to accomplish your duties.

Black nitrile gloves are ideal for those who work in automotive or industrial positions. New technology has helped to increase their use by mechanics due to their built-in sweat prevention. They can be worn all day in the heat without making your hands swelter.

The sleek black coloration also makes these gloves ideal for tattoo artists and hairdressers who handle harsh dyes and bleach. They will prevent your hands from being stained and help you cleanly apply dye to your customer and not yourself.

What are Blue Nitrile Gloves Used For?

Blue nitrile gloves are ideal for medical and laboratory workers. Their material can resist bodily fluids and punctures. They can also resist blood borne pathogens, stop needles from accidentally puncturing your skin and resist agents used in chemotherapy. Blue nitrile gloves are ideal for nurses, doctors and lab technicians who deal with infected needles and bodily fluids on a regular basis.

How Durable and Protective are Nitrile Gloves?

Nitrile gloves provide you with long-lasting protection to your hands. The material is naturally waterproof because of its rubber origins. They are also resistant to bodily fluid pathogens like HIV and provide protection against a range of common chemical types. Water, grease, oil and common chemicals cannot get through the virtually impermeable nitrile material or damage your hands. Nitrile gloves can handle stronger chemicals than latex gloves can, but you should still take proper precautions while interacting with heavy chemicals.

The stretchy material of nitrile gloves is also good at repelling sharp objects. It can prevent you from pricking your finger on the dangerous tip of a used needle or other sharp objects. Their puncture resistance is about three to five times higher than typical latex gloves.

Nitrile gloves are also capable of having a long shelf life. They should be properly stored away from the sun and extreme heat to decrease their rate of decay. However, even if they are properly stored, they will eventually begin decaying because of the material’s natural make up.

Are Nitrile Gloves Safe To Use?

Nitrile gloves are free of many harmful chemicals and are more hypoallergenic than latex. They do not contain BPA, a harmful chemical that can lead to brain and prostate gland damage. Nitrile gloves are also free of Phthalate, Vinyl and MBT.

Manufacturers can also make these gloves without powder or latex, which prevents them from transferring any dangerous chemicals into the food they might handle. They aren’t as messy as powdered gloves and they minimize the risk of causing an allergic reaction that latex gloves might.

Are Nitrile Gloves Safe for the Environment?

Nitrile gloves uses natural materials to provide you with an eco-friendly way to protect your hands. They are both recyclable and biodegradable. To recycle nitrile gloves, you’ll need to order a special recycling bin or bring your used pairs to your local post office. A service called TerraCycle will collect all used nitrile gloves and recycle them for you.

They are also biodegradable and safe for the environment. Nitrile gloves are created by processing natural materials, which allows them to degrade back to their original elements over time. However, because they undergo re-processing before being made into gloves, they degrade slower than latex materials do.

Are Latex or Nitrile Gloves Better for Mechanics?

Nitrile gloves are quickly becoming a fan favorite of mechanics. They are stronger than latex but still provide enough dexterity to accomplish detail-oriented tasks. The Nitrile material is virtually impermeable to liquids ranging from water to common chemicals. It also has a higher resistance to punctures to ensure your safety when handling sharp objects.

Latex gloves are better suited for medical and food preparation use due to their thinner and less durable material. Nitrile gloves offer a more durable option that qualifies them for use in industrial workplaces along with medical and food services. Their material is thick, yet it can conform to your hand after being warmed by your body’s natural heat. Some nitrile gloves are even equipped with sweat prevention technology to allow you to comfortably wear them for longer periods of time.

Nitrile gloves are stronger, more durable and more resistant than latex gloves. They are better suited for heavy-duty projects, making them an ideal option for mechanics or other industrial workers.

BRADY – Latex Medical Examination Gloves (Medium)- 100 Piece

Conclusion

Nitrile gloves uses extracts from rubber trees as a basis for its eco-friendly composition. You can recycle your used nitrile gloves to help protect and preserve the world around you. They enable you to protect your hands and the environment simultaneously.

Nitrile gloves can offer you more protection than their latex counterparts. They are more durable and impermeable to chemicals and needle tips. Its material is thicker than latex and protects your hands from being stained by grease and oil.

Although latex gloves have traditionally been used in medical fields and food service, nitrile gloves have proven themselves to be more efficient. They are better qualified to protect you from bloodborne pathogens and are certified by the FDA to be appropriate for food handling.

They are also capable of handling heavy-duty tasks like working on car engines or manufacturing floors. Nitrile gloves can acclimate to wet or dry surfaces and protect you while you are working with harsh chemicals. Nitrile gloves uses are virtually endless, allowing them to be ideal protective wear in industrial, medical and culinary fields.