Know Your Glove: Latex and Nitrile

Add an extra layer of protection this year by purchasing gloves for your team! Employees working in industries in which exposed to hazardous substances and commonly used chemicals in the workplace and/or are affected by the use of chemicals, are required to wear gloves for safety and hand/skin protection. Although not required in all industries and for general-use purposes, gloves are still an essential, extra layer of safety and protection, recommended for all hands-on industries.

Latex and Nitrile gloves are physically formed similar, yet different, and are great general-use purpose gloves for employees working in industries not requiring the wear of gloves for safety and protection. For example, warehouses and grocery stores whose work is primarily assembly lines and movement of inventory, would benefit greatly from an extra layer of protection by wearing latex or Nitrile gloves. Another great example, is moving companies where employees are constantly interacting with different materials and products and may want to protect their hands and skin from debris and possible, unknown substances. Both latex and Nitrile gloves are disposable and intended for single-use.

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves are made of natural rubber latex (NRL) which comes from the sap of rubber trees and is physically characterized as a milky white substance. Natural rubber latex (NRL) is concentrated into solid products such as medical devices, gloves, tires, balloons, and more. Latex gloves make great protection tools for the hands and skin due to their resistance to tears and punctures, variations of use, and comfort. Although solvent in hazardous materials and commonly used chemicals in the workplace, latex gloves are still very useful for protecting the hands and skin from non-hazardous materials and general, covering of the hands and skin for protection. An alternative to latex gloves is Nitrile gloves.

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are composed of Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) which is a synthetic, tough elastic polymetric substance made from the latex of a tropical plant. Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), through liquidation, is melted into a liquid form then molded into the shape of a glove once solidified. Like latex gloves, Nitrile gloves are great for general-use purposes. Most importantly, unlike latex gloves, Nitrile gloves are resistant to hazardous materials and commonly used chemicals in the workplace. Nitrile gloves can also withstand tears and punctures, though, are not intended for long-term use. Nitrile gloves make a great alternative to latex gloves for general-use purposes.

Links to Products on Amazon

Below are links to the products on Amazon. Be sure to check the product’s details for available sizes and price changes.

Latex Gloves by Brand (Medium-sized):

• KingSeal: 100/Box (White) for $10.59: https://amzn.to/3E83AoH
• Safeguard: 100/Box (Clear) for $12.00: https://amzn.to/4auPPMN
• MED PRIDE: 100/Box (Clear) for $7.45: https://amzn.to/4g9NU1q
• MED PRIDE: 1000/Case (10 Boxes of 100/Box) (Clear) for $45.10: https://amzn.to/40ywJRb
• Adenna: 100/Box (Black) for $11.50: https://amzn.to/3POCB45
• Curad: 50/Box (White) for $9.99: https://amzn.to/3WtZiOr
• Curad: 100/Box (White) for $17.06: https://amzn.to/3E4ZBZN
• Raxwell: 100/Box (Clear) for $18.97: https://amzn.to/4h4PPFI
• Raxwell: 1000/Case (10 Boxes of 100/Box) (Clear) for $179.97: https://amzn.to/42u1adR
• FifthPulse: 50/Box (Natural) for $9.99: https://amzn.to/3CsT62z
• FifthPulse: 100/Box (Natural) for $16.99: https://amzn.to/40ONlWk

Nitrile Gloves by Brand (Medium-sized)

• MED PRIDE: 100/Box (Iris Blue) for $9.99: https://amzn.to/4gdnnjS
• MED PRIDE: 1000/Case (10 Boxes of 100/Box) (Iris Blue) for $67.00: https://amzn.to/4gh89KG
• Inspire: 100/Box (Blue) for $9.99: https://amzn.to/4jsYu6p
• Inspire: 1000/Case (10 Boxes of 100/Box) (Blue) for $77.79: https://amzn.to/4hrk7lM
• Inspire: 100/Box (Black) for $13.58: https://amzn.to/40LMohA
• Inspire: 1000/Case (10 Boxes of 100/Box) (Black) for $76.49: https://amzn.to/4hdQrcm
• Basic: 1000/Case (10 Boxes of 100/Box) for $48.00: https://amzn.to/3PSeotK
• Beastek: 100/Box (Pink) for $6.77: https://amzn.to/42tLPKD
• Supermedic: 100/Box (Blue) for $8.01: https://amzn.to/3CxBYbS
• Medguy: 100/Box (Purple) for $5.98: https://amzn.to/3PT2Ypi

Additional Resources:

3.4 Hand Protection | Environment, Health and Safety

Glove Selection Guide | Office of Environment, Health & Safety