What Type of Gloves Protects Your Hands from Hazardous Chemicals?

Hands are our most essential tools, we use them in almost every task we perform, Which is why taking good care of them is crucial. Protecting your hands should be your priority if your duties require barrier protection, such ones involving handling toxic chemicals.

One great way to do this is by wearing gloves with chemical-resistant properties! You might wonder what type of gloves protects your hands best from the most hazardous chemicals.

This article lists the best disposable gloves that offer protection from hazardous materials. We also list what you should consider before choosing the right disposable gloves, and provide tips for wearing disposable gloves when handling harsh chemicals.

Types of Disposable Gloves for Hazardous Chemicals

Disposable gloves that protect hands from harsh chemicals are most commonly made out of nitrile, latex, vinyl, or a combination of those materials.

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber, which provides excellent chemical resistance. They are also durable, offering puncture and abrasion resistance. In addition, nitrile gloves are a good choice for people with latex allergies or sensitivities.

Nitrile is a versatile material that offers protection against acids, bases, organic solvents, fuels, oils, greases, alcohol, and other highly toxic materials. Generally, nitrile gloves are safe to use to protect your hands from chlorinated and aromatic solvents, and are a great choice for people with latex allergies or sensitivities

It should be noted however, that nitrile gloves can quickly degrade when exposed to some chemicals such as ketones, ethers, esters, and strong acids. Avoid wearing disposable nitrile gloves when handling chemicals with more than 30% ammonium hydroxide, 70% nitric acid, and 88% formic acid, as they can affect your glove's material.

Latex Gloves

Latex gloves have been around for a long time, and they were the go-to gloves for all medical environments until other options like nitrile became available on the market. Latex gloves are made from natural rubber latex and are known for their high level of dexterity, and they provide an excellent barrier against ketones, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, and nitric acid. However, latex gloves are not recommended for handling animal fats, castor oil, vegetable oils, or trichloroethylene (TCE), and it is highly advised that you make sure you don't have any latex allergies before working with them.

Vinyl Gloves

Vinyl gloves are made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a synthetic material. While vinyl gloves are affordable, they are less durable than latex or nitrile gloves. As a result, they provide limited chemical protection and are not recommended for harsh chemical materials such as aromatic and chlorinated solvents.

It is essential to note that the chemical resistance of disposable gloves highly varies depending on the chemical concentration and temperature. That's why checking the manufacturer's chart is crucial for understanding what your gloves can handle, and you can also do a chemical compatibility test before using them.

The 5 Best Gloves to Protect Hands from Hazardous Chemicals

Disposable chemical-resistant gloves protect against damage caused by extreme heat, or toxic or corrosive substances, such as burns, cuts, abrasions, and skin irritation.

Here is a list of excellent disposable gloves you can use if your work involves contact with hazardous chemicals.

1. WellBefore Endeavor 4.0 Nitrile Examination Gloves

The WellBefore Endeavor 4.0 nitrile examination gloves are designed for optimal comfort and extra protection. These disposable nitrile gloves are latex-free, powder-free and resistant to punctures and chemicals. They are ambidextrous, meaning you can wear them on either hand, and have textured fingers for improved grip.

The Endeavor 4.0 nitrile examination gloves are available in the color blue and black, as well as in sizes small, medium, large, and extra-large. WellBefore Endeavor 4.0 nitrile examination gloves are suitable for food preparation, cooking, cleaning, and tasks related to cosmetology.

Features

• FDA 510(k) certified
• 4 mil thickness
• Textured fingers
• Smooth finish
• Latex-free
• Beaded cuff

2. McKesson Confiderm 3.0 Nitrile Exam Gloves

The McKesson Confiderm 3.0 nitrile exam glove is a good choice for hand protection in the 2-4 mil fingertip thickness range. These large ambidextrous non-sterile gloves have textured fingers and have high tactile sensitivity. While these gloves are not the thickest option available, they're suitable for more low-to-mid-level exposure to lower-risk hazardous chemicals.

Since they're made from nitrile material, the gloves offer high durability and puncture resistance. These gloves are available in boxes of 100 or 1,000.

Features

• High tactile sensitivity
• Ambidextrous fit
• Powder-free
• Latex free
• Textured fingers
• Beaded cuffs

3. McKesson Confiderm 4.5C Nitrile Exam Gloves

The McKesson Confiderm 4.5C nitrile exam gloves are designed for sturdiness, puncture resistance, tear resistance, and durability. They're safe with chemotherapy drugs and are free of latex and donning powder, so you don't have to worry if your skin is sensitive.

McKesson's Confiderm powder-free gloves are comfortable to wear, provide a great fit, and have textured fingers for tactile sensitivity. Furthermore, the gloves have a beaded cuff for extra strength and added protection against fluids.

These gloves are available in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes. They are suitable for medical examination and can be used safely by tattoo artists, law enforcement professionals, and first responders.

Features

• Chemotherapy-drugs tested
• Textured fingers
• Beaded cuff
• Ambidextrous fit
• Iris-blue color

4. WellBefore Endeavor 5.5 Premium Nitrile Exam Gloves

The Endeavor 5.5 Premium nitrile exam gloves are extra-thick disposable gloves that are tear-resistant and feature high elasticity. These gloves are also powder-free and latex-free, which can help reduce any skin irritation.

These gloves are examination-approved, offering a high degree of protection against germs and the spread of infection. They feature a smooth finish and textured fingertips, allowing for high tactile sensitivity with a good grip.

These gloves are available in 5-mil thickness and in sizes small, medium, large, and extra large, so you can easily find the perfect fit for your hands. Blue in color and for single-use only.

Features

• FDA 510(k) approved
• Extra-thick premium protection
• Powder-free
• Latex-free
• Beaded Cuff Feature
• Disposable

5. McKesson Confiderm Latex Exam Gloves—Textured

The McKesson Confiderm latex textured exam gloves are an excellent product for anyone looking for a more reliable and affordable latex glove. These latex gloves are made from high-quality latex and feature a textured surface that helps provide a better grip. They also offer tactile sensitivity and dexterity with an ambidextrous fit so you can wear them on your right or left hand interchangeably.

The McKesson Confiderm latex exam gloves are powder-free and have a polymer coating for ease of use, and are suitable for medical settings, healthcare settings, and cleaning needs. The gloves are resistant to oil, chemicals, and water. It's important to note that these gloves are made from natural rubber latex and can cause allergies to people with known sensitivity to latex.

Features

• Textured fingers
• Powder-free
• 6.7 mil thickness
• Beaded cuff
• Ambidextrous fit

Considerations When Selecting Chemical-Resistant Gloves

Choosing suitable gloves that meet your needs is crucial, because every job is different, meaning the chemicals you're handling are different. Gloves also differ in material and thickness, so one glove can be suitable for one type of chemical but not right for another. Here are some things to consider when looking to buy gloves for chemical resistance:

Type of Chemical Hazard

The first thing to consider before selecting the appropriate gloves is the type of chemical(s) that you are handling during your work. What's their level of toxicity? What's their pH? Chemicals differ in properties and can react differently depending on the gloves' material. Knowing the hazardous material you're handling will help you select the appropriate glove, preventing skin absorption through incidental contact or other kinds of chemical exposure.

Duration of Exposure

Consider the duration you're going to be exposed to the chemical. Some gloves are suitable for short-term chemical exposure, while others are better at protection for extended periods. You should know that disposable gloves are better suited for incidental contact, such as accidental spills or splashes.

Check the Manufacturer's Glove Chart

Before using gloves, check the manufacturer's chemical resistance chart, which will give you information on gloves' protection against specific chemicals. If the chart is not available, contact the manufacturer and ask them. Better to err on the side of caution than damage your hands while testing!

Also consider the following criteria when choosing gloves for use with chemicals:

• Breakthrough time: Total time it takes for a chemical to enter the inside of the glove.
• Degradation: Amount of physical damage the glove material sustains when exposed to chemicals. A glove may show signs of deterioration, such as hardness, softness, and cracking.
• Permeation rate: The rate at which a chemical can pass through the glove material and come into contact with your skin.

Evaluate the Glove Materials

Different types of glove materials offer different levels of chemical resistance, as we mentioned above. Before picking a glove to handle hazardous materials, evaluate their pros and cons.

Tips for Using Disposable Gloves When Handling Hazardous Chemicals

Here are some pointers to remember when using disposable gloves:

• Consider double gloving for maximum hand protection.
• Before wearing gloves, check for any damage, such as holes or tears.
• Do not reuse disposable gloves. Change them frequently, especially if you notice any damage.
• Remove your gloves before leaving the lab or the place you're working in.
• Replace gloves immediately after every use.
• Remove the gloves carefully to avoid contamination or contact with harsh chemicals.
• Wash your hands after removing your gloves.
• Never wash disposable gloves.

Order Quality Chemical-Resistant Disposable Gloves

Protecting our hands is crucial when dealing with hazardous materials, sharp objects, or extreme heat, and you have to choose suitable gloves for the job to get the appropriate hand protection.

Remember that gloves are just one part of the personal protective equipment (PPE) needed when working with hazardous chemicals. You have to also make sure to wear appropriate eye protection, respiratory protection, and other PPE, depending on the substances you're handling.

At WellBefore, you can get appropriate gloves and masks to protect yourself, whether for cleaning, food preparation, cooking, first aid, automotive repair, or more. Browse our wide selection of gloves online today or call us at +1-214-416-9009 to place your order.