Disposable gloves for medicine, care and industry
Disposable gloves form a barrier against germs or chemicals and are therefore part of the basic equipment in the healthcare sector. They are also widely used in areas such as gastronomy, the food industry or beauty salons to protect the health of staff, patients and guests. In our online shop you can get disposable gloves made of the following materials
- Nitrile
- Latex
- Vinyl
Depending on the material and protection class, disposable gloves have different quality criteria (e.g. powder-free or food-safe) which are important when purchasing.
Disposable gloves: materials and their properties
Whether nitrile, vinyl or latex - all materials have their specific advantages and disadvantages and are therefore used for different purposes.
Nitrile gloves
Nitrile is a synthetic material that does not normally cause allergies. In general, nitrile gloves are considered to be very well tolerated by the skin, which is especially important in the medical field. In addition, nitrile gloves are extremely durable, tear and puncture resistant, and bacteria and viruses cannot penetrate nitrile. Unlike latex or vinyl, nitrile is also resistant to solvents and greases. This makes nitrile gloves ideal wherever chemicals are handled regularly. Nitrile is also harmless when handling foodstuffs, as the material does not release any harmful substances when it comes into contact with fats or alcohol. Nitrile gloves are therefore used in numerous areas of application, such as:
- Medicine, nursing and care of the elderly
- Laboratories and workshops
- Food industry
- Gastronomy
- Hairdressers, cosmetic and tattoo studios
- Cleaning work
Latex gloves
Originally, disposable gloves were made of latex, a very soft and elastic material that conforms perfectly to the individual shape of the hand. Latex gloves are comfortable to wear - also and especially where "fingertip feeling" is required. The big disadvantage is that the proteins contained in latex can cause allergies. For this reason, products made of nitrile or vinyl gloves are mostly used in the medical sector today, so as not to endanger staff and patients. Latex is also of limited suitability for handling food and chemicals, as the material is permeable to solvents and fats. However, due to the high wearing comfort, latex gloves are still popular and are mainly used in these areas:
- Medicine and veterinary medicine
- Hairdressing salons
- Tattoo Studios
Vinyl gloves
Vinyl is a very thin, soft material with a smooth surface that, like nitrile, does not normally cause allergies. Vinyl gloves are used primarily in nursing and geriatric care, and here especially for non-medical activities such as washing patients. This is because, unlike nitrile or latex gloves, vinyl gloves do not adhere to body hair and therefore cannot cause unpleasant pulling. Another advantage of vinyl is its excellent price-performance ratio: vinyl gloves are generally less expensive than nitrile or latex gloves.
Compared to nitrile and latex, vinyl is less durable and tear-resistant, so vinyl gloves cannot withstand large mechanical loads. Vinyl also does not offer sufficient protection against chemicals, solvents and greases. Vinyl gloves are also not suitable for handling food because of the plasticizers they contain: Especially greasy food could be contaminated with harmful substances when coming into contact with vinyl. Nitrile gloves are more suitable here.
Disposable gloves: These legal standards are important
Disposable gloves are required by law in many areas: Wherever employees come into contact with potentially hazardous substances, they count as personal protective equipment (PPE). In healthcare, where disposable gloves also protect patients, they are also considered a medical device. Depending on the area of application, disposable gloves must meet different legal standards:
General requirements for disposable gloves: DIN EN 420
The European standard DIN EN 420 is the basic standard for all gloves used as personal protective equipment (PPE). It specifies minimum requirements relating to the materials used, processing, sizing and labelling. For example, according to DIN EN 420, all materials must be harmless to health, and there must be no risk of injury from the seams and edges of the disposable gloves.
Disposable gloves in medicine and care: DIN EN 455
If gloves are required for use in the healthcare sector, the gloves should have the DIN EN 455 marking. This standard is divided into four parts, which relate to impermeability, physical properties and dimensions, biological limits and shelf life. Gloves that comply with the DIN EN 455 standard must, among other things, be waterproof. For this purpose, the so-called AQL value (Accepted Quality Level) is defined, which must be at least 1.5. In the case of problematic substances such as chemicals, endotoxins or proteins that can be removed, the manufacturer must comply with limit values.
Disposable gloves for protection against chemicals and microorganisms: DIN EN 374
Gloves used as personal protective equipment when handling chemicals must be labelled in accordance with DIN EN 374. This standard specifies a number of requirements: For example, the disposable gloves must be airtight and waterproof and protect the user against bacteria and fungi. Whether the gloves can also withstand viruses is indicated by a corresponding marking on the packaging. DIN EN 374 also defines three different types of protection:
- Type A gloves prevent the passage (permeation) of at least 6 chemicals for at least 30 minutes.
- Type B gloves prevent the passage (permeation) of at least 3 chemicals for at least 30 minutes.
- Type C gloves prevent the passage (permeation) of at least one chemical for at least 10 minutes.
The manufacturer indicates which chemicals are involved in detail by means of identification letters on the packaging.
What you should also consider when buying disposable gloves
Disposable gloves must, of course, comply with the legal standards. In addition, the products may differ in terms of their processing, material properties, texture, etc.. Therefore, when choosing, also consider the following criteria:
Sterile or non-sterile?
Non-sterile disposable gloves are sufficient for most applications. They are usually offered in boxes of 100 to 200 pieces. Sterile disposable gloves are used in the operating theatre area as well as in laboratories and clean rooms, where no contamination may occur. They come individually packaged on the market.
Powdered or powder-free?
The disposable gloves offered in our shop are predominantly powder-free. According to the legal standards, powder-free means that a maximum of 2 mg powder residues may be contained.
Powdered gloves have the advantage that they are easier to put on and take off, even with wet hands. Their disadvantage, however, is that the powder swirling in the air irritates mucous membranes and respiratory tract when inhaled and thus poses health risks, especially for allergy sufferers. Particularly in the medical sector, gloves should therefore be powder-free. Powdered disposable gloves are also dangerous in the catering or food industry, as they can contaminate food. In these areas, the gloves should also be labeled "powder-free".
Material thickness: Extra thin or extra robust?
In most cases, the robustness of a glove is also related to the material thickness. Thinner disposable gloves are usually offered under the designation "light" or "basic". They are less expensive, but somewhat less resistant. Thicker disposable gloves in "premium" quality are characterized by particularly high durability.
Note that the strength and robustness also depends on the material: Vinyl gloves are generally thinner and less durable than latex gloves or nitrile gloves.
Suitable for food?
When choosing gloves for the catering industry or food processing companies, be sure to look for the so-called food safety declaration. Nitrile gloves are predominantly used in the food sector, as nitrile is very resistant to fats and oils and does not release any harmful substances. Latex gloves are less suitable because latex proteins can be released from the glove on contact with fats. If latex allergy sufferers consume food contaminated with them, they could suffer allergic shock. Vinyl gloves can also be problematic, as vinyl contains plasticizers that are dissolved out by fats and oils.
What color?
It is true that the color does not indicate certain properties of the glove. In the food sector, however, blue nitrile gloves have become established, as "lost" gloves are easier to find due to the eye-catching color.
What size?
Non-sterile disposable gloves are mostly offered in sizes S to XL, sometimes also in XS. Sterile disposable surgical gloves, on the other hand, are marketed in numerical sizes (5 to 9.5).
Buy tested disposable gloves conveniently and cheaply online
Whether you are looking for universally applicable nitrile gloves, inexpensive vinyl gloves or comfortable latex gloves: Our range includes a wide selection of gloves, which of course comply with all required legal standards. Many of our products are Made in Germany, powder-free and suitable for use in the food sector. Would you like to be informed about new product developments or special offers? Subscribe to our newsletter and stay up to date!