Latex vs Nitrile vs Vinyl Gloves...Which to Choose?

Updated: April 27,

Link to titanfine

No disposable protective glove offers the exact same level of protection.

In this dangerous public health age when superb hand hygiene and protection is essential, healthcare, industrial and food service workers can&#;t trust their hands and patients&#; and customers&#; health to just any disposable glove. All workers, no matter their industry or working environment, need reliable gloves to protect patients, customers, coworkers and guests from exposure to potentially dangerous microbes, including arguably the most dangerous virus on the planet: Novel Coronavirus.

When deciding between latex, nitrile and vinyl gloves &#; it can be a little confusing trying to determine which type of glove is the ideal and best choice for your hands, health and safety. Let&#;s take an up-close look at the attributes and benefits of each type of glove.

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves offer several benefits in various settings such as medical, laboratory, and food handling environments. Here are some benefits of using latex gloves:

1. Protection: Latex gloves provide an excellent barrier against infectious agents, chemicals, and other harmful substances, making them a popular choice in medical and laboratory settings.
2. Comfort: Latex gloves are comfortable to wear, flexible, and provide a good fit. This makes them suitable for tasks that require dexterity, such as medical procedures, laboratory work, and food handling.
3. Sensitivity: Latex gloves are thin, allowing for tactile sensitivity and fine motor skills, making them ideal for tasks that require precision, such as surgery or laboratory work.
4. Durability: Latex gloves are durable and resistant to punctures and tears, making them a reliable choice for tasks that require protective gloves.
5. Cost-effective: Latex gloves are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of gloves, making them a cost-effective choice for applications where disposable gloves are required.

It is important to note that some people may be allergic to latex, and repeated exposure can increase the risk of developing an allergy. Therefore, alternative materials such as nitrile or vinyl gloves may be used for those with latex allergies.

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are a popular alternative to latex gloves in various settings, such as medical, laboratory, and food handling environments. Here are some benefits of using nitrile gloves:

1. Hypoallergenic: Nitrile gloves are made from a synthetic rubber material that is hypoallergenic and suitable for people with latex allergies.
2. Durability: Nitrile gloves are highly durable and resistant to punctures and tears, making them a reliable choice for tasks that require protective gloves.
3. Chemical resistance: Nitrile gloves offer excellent chemical resistance, making them ideal for tasks that involve handling chemicals, such as laboratory work and industrial settings.
4. Comfort: Nitrile gloves are comfortable to wear and provide a good fit. They are flexible and allow for easy movement, making them suitable for tasks that require dexterity.
5. Tactile sensitivity: Nitrile gloves are thin, allowing for tactile sensitivity and fine motor skills, making them ideal for tasks that require precision, such as surgery or laboratory work.
6. Latex-free: Nitrile gloves are latex-free, making them a suitable option for those who are sensitive to latex.
7. Cost-effective: Nitrile gloves are relatively inexpensive compared to other types of gloves, making them a cost-effective choice for applications where disposable gloves are required.

Overall, nitrile gloves offer several benefits in various settings and are a popular choice for those who require protective gloves.

Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves are another popular option for protective gloves in various settings, such as food handling, cleaning, and hairdressing. Here are some benefits of using vinyl gloves:

1. Affordability: Vinyl gloves are the most economical type of disposable gloves, making them an excellent choice for applications where gloves are frequently used.
2. Hypoallergenic: Vinyl gloves are hypoallergenic and suitable for people with latex allergies.
3. Comfort: Vinyl gloves are comfortable to wear, and they provide a good fit, making them suitable for tasks that require dexterity.
4. Easy to put on and take off: Vinyl gloves are easy to put on and take off, which is an advantage in applications where gloves are frequently changed.
5. Light weight: Vinyl gloves are lightweight, making them suitable for tasks that require sensitivity, such as laboratory work or hairdressing.
6. Less prone to tearing: Vinyl gloves are less prone to tearing compared to latex gloves, making them more durable for applications where gloves are frequently used.
7. Water-resistant: Vinyl gloves are resistant to water, making them suitable for use in environments where exposure to water is common, such as cleaning and food preparation.

While vinyl gloves offer several advantages, they are not as strong or durable as nitrile or latex gloves and may not provide as much protection in high-risk situations. Therefore, vinyl gloves may not be suitable for certain applications, such as medical procedures or handling hazardous materials.

As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, make certain you stay on guard. Make sure the protective glove you pick is the right fit and match for the work you do and the offers the level of protection you need for yourself and the people, patients and customers you work with, help and serve.

photo credit: Fl&#;&#;d

Are you interested in learning more about latex vs nitrile vs vinyl gloves? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Featured Products

(4-pack) Avant® Alcohol-Free Foaming Hand Sanitizer (1-Gallon Bulk Refill)

$137.09

Item #: -GAL
Size: Gallon
Type: Foaming, Alcohol-free
Active Ingredient: Benzalkonium Chloride .1%
Fragrance & Dye-Free
Cases Ship Free

(24-pack) 2 oz Avant® Fragrance-Free Hand Sanitizer

$39.84

Item #: -2-FF
Type: Hand sanitizing gel
Active Ingredient: Ethanol 60%
Fragrance: Fragrance-Free
Color: Clear (Dye-Free)
Free shipping

Sale

(12-pack) 18 oz. Aterra® Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap

$91.65 Original price was: $91.65.$79.55Current price is: $79.55.

Size:  18 oz. bottles
Type:  Foaming, Antibacterial
Active Ingredient:  Benzalkonium Chloride 0.1%
Fragrance:  Fresh Cotton (IFRA Certified)
Ships Free

(4-pack) Avant® Fragrance-free Hand Sanitizer (1-Gallon Bulk Refill)

$136.31

Item #:  -128-FF
Type: Gel, Fragrance-free
Size: 1 Gallon
Active Ingredient: Ethanol 60%
Cases ship free

(24-pack) 8.5 oz Avant® Original Fragrance-free Hand Sanitizer

$99.39

Item #: -8.5-FF
Type: Hand sanitizing gel
Active Ingredient: Ethanol 60%
Fragrance: Fragrance-Free
Free shipping

(12-Pack) 18 oz Aterra® Foaming Hand Soap

$91.65

Item #: -18
Size: 18 Oz. Pump Bottle
Type: Foam Hand Soap
Fragrance: Fresh Cotton (IFRA Certified)

FREE SHIPPING

Background: Although gloves manufactured with different materials have comparable barrier properties when removed directly from the box and tested, their actual on-the-job barrier performance may be extremely different. Although effective in static, pre-use conditions, barrier properties may be compromised once challenged by the rigorous hand and finger movements associated with many health care procedures. Gloves are meant to act as barriers, protecting persons by reducing the risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens. Ineffective barriers or barriers that are easily breached during risk-associated procedures have the potential to place health care professionals at risk. Multiple studies attesting to the barrier attributes of vinyl and latex gloves during varied controlled clinical situations are available. Studies are available that address the permeation characteristics of nitrile, but no studies document the effectiveness of nitrile as a barrier to bloodborne pathogens or compare the barrier effectiveness of nitrile to gloves made of other materials during simulated use or clinical situations.

Objective: This study was undertaken to compare the barrier integrity of latex, vinyl, and nitrile gloves during controlled, simulated clinical use conditions that were specifically designed to mimic patient care activities. This study compares the performance of gloves made of natural rubber latex, long considered the gold standard; polyvinyl chloride (vinyl), a synthetic copolymer; and nitrile (acrylonitrile butadiene), a recently available synthetic for use in the health care environment.

Methods: A total of gloves (800 latex gloves, 800 vinyl gloves, and 400 nitrile gloves) were evaluated for baseline determinations in unused gloves and for failure rates after specific simulated use conditions. Potential bias was avoided through strict control of all actions and manipulations. Gloves were graded on a pass or fail system for leaks as defined by American Society for Testing and Materials D, Standard Test Method for Detection of Holes in Medical Gloves. To more fully characterize the gloves evaluated, individual products were also tested for physical dimensions (finger and palm thickness), powder levels, total protein (Modified Lowry), and antigenic protein (Latex ELISA [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay] for Antigenic Proteins).

Results: With the exception of one vinyl glove brand with a 12% failure rate, no significant differences in failure rates were detected among the 3 types of gloves when tested directly out of the box with no manipulation. However, after manipulation intended to simulate in-use conditions, vinyl gloves failed 12% to 61% of the time. Latex and nitrile performed significantly better, with failure rates of only 0% to 4% and 1% to 3%, respectively. All latex gloves, with one exception, tested at less than 50 microg/g of total water extractable protein. The antigenic protein levels, with one exception, tested from less than 0.2 microg/g to 5.5 microg/g. The one latex product that fell outside these values had 154 microg/g of total protein and 105.7 microg/g of antigenic protein.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit 9 inch blue disposable Nitrile Gloves with factory price.