Dartmouth College

Reuseable, Nitrile: Provides protection against a wide- range of chemicals with excellent puncture and abrasion resistance. Flocked lined for comfort. Textured grip. Ideal for a variety of lab applications-- from washing glassware to chemical production--the one glove that everyone should have available. Low cost per pair and long service life.

Flexible Laminate: Worn under reusable gloves, provides a permeation resistant liner for work with particularly hazardous or aggressive chemicals. When in doubt, always wear a laminate beneath a reusable.

Reusable, Neoprene: Broad range of chemical resistance-- from solvents to acids and caustics. Properly sized, neoprene gloves offer tactility and dexterity without compromising chemical protection. Flock lined with embossed grip.

N-DEX™ Disposable Nitrile: Provides increased chemical resistance in a disposable glove. Better puncture and tear resistance than disposable latex or PVC gloves. Hypoallergenic, provides an alternative for latex sensitive individuals. Superior choice as barrier protection with potentially infectious materials.

Key Concepts to Remember

* Consult the manufacturer's chemical resistance guide. ¹

Chemical resistance guides vary according to manufacturer. In most cases, the information provided includes degradation (a measure of its tendency to swell, discolor or otherwise change due to chemical contact) and permeation. Permeation describes the molecular process of how a chemical passes through a particular glove material. Chemicals can oftentimes permeate a glove material without causing visible change. Breakthrough describes the time lapsed between first contact outside the glove and detection inside.

* All gloves are permeable.

Permeation is dependent on the chemical handled and the composition, thickness and condition of the glove. Permeation also depends on the extent and length of contact with the chemical and amount of hand/glove flexion.

* There is no such thing as the "ideal" chemically resistant glove.

While some flexible laminate gloves (such as Silver Shield™ or 4H™) offer protection against a wide range of hazardous chemicals, there may be potential limitations in dexterity, tactile sensitivity, ability to grip when wet, tear and puncture resistance.

* Sometimes the ideal glove is actually two gloves worn together.

Wearing one pair of gloves (such as reusable nitrile, latex, neoprene, butyl or Viton™)³ over a flexible laminate combines the advantages of both. When using this approach--be sure to use the smallest laminate size that will fit comfortably. This allows the greatest dexterity when worn under the outer glove.

* Care of reusable gloves.

In the lab, most chemical handling does not require immersion or extensive/prolonged contact. As a result, it is usually not necessary to replace heavy duty (reusable) gloves in the same way that disposable gloves are used. Before removing reusable gloves, thoroughly rinse them off and allow to air dry. Replace reusable gloves whenever they become discolored or show signs of damage. If you suspect that reusable gloves may have become contaminated--replace them immediately. Contaminated gloves are hazardous waste--bag and set aside for disposal through EHS.

* Role of disposable gloves in the lab.

Disposable latex and PVC gloves have an important practical role in the lab. Disposable gloves provide barrier protection when working with biological materials, radioisotopes and in helping to prevent the contamination of glassware, etc. For routine tasks involving non-hazardous chemicals, disposable gloves allow dexterity, convenience and low-cost.

Disposable gloves are not suitable for use with hazardous or aggressive chemicals. Disposable gloves are thin (4 mil² or so) verses the typical 18 to 28 mil thickness of a reusable glove.

* Glove materials.

Viton™³--Excellent resistance to chlorinated and aromatic solvents. (Expensive)
Butyl--Good choice aldehydes, detones and esters. (Expensive)
Neoprene--Wide range of resistance to solvents, acids, caustics and alcohols.
Nitrile--Wide range of applications along with puncture and abrasion resistance.
PVC--resist acids but not petroleum solvents.

¹ If not available in your lab, contact EHS.
² 1 mil=.001"
³Viton is a registered trademark of Dupont Dow Elastomers.

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