Gloves 101
What size glove do I need?
We have a handy chart to help you – click here to download & print!
Materials
Many gloves may look the same, but they are made of materials that vary drastically. When choosing a glove to meet your needs, it’s important to know the pros and cons of each material. Do you like the fit of a latex glove, but prefer the advanced protection of nitrile products? Do you have allergies to consider when making your choice? If you’re having trouble deciding which glove is right for you, take a moment to read through the information below.
Latex
Pros
- Natural rubber latex is a processed plant product
- Most trusted material and first choice for healthcare settings worldwide
- Consistent fit, flexibility, and resilience. Fits the best!
- Reliable performance and barrier protection against infection and contamination
Cons
- Allergic reaction for some users
- Costs fluctuate according to prices of natural resources
Vinyl
Pros
- First synthetic material available to consumer
- Composed of polyvinyl chloride and plasticizers that softens the material.
- Economical alternative to latex gloves. Cheapest material used for gloves!
- Great for basic hand protection in a low infection environment.
- Good multi-purpose glove for general use and activities that do not require highest degree of tactile precision.
- Allergy Free!
Cons
- Does not fit as well as latex
Nitrile
Pros
- Synthetic Polymer that exhibits rubber-like characteristics
- Protein and allergy free
- Much of the same flexibility, tensile strength, and durability as latex
- Superior to latex gloves in providing protection against petroleum-based products.
Cons
- More expensive to produce than latex.
Types of Gloves
Our Emerald products are intended to service varying needs across a wide range of markets and industries, such as:
- General Purpose
- Food Handling
- Beauty Supply/Hair Salon
- Janitorial
- Housekeeping
- Cleaning/Painting/Yard Work/Plumbing/etc.
- Arts and Crafts
- Industrial
- Auto
- Exam
- Medical
- Dental
- Healthcare Related
- EMS/First Aid
- Law Enforcement
- Nursing Home/Homecare
- Tattoo and Body Piercing
- Pet & Vet
We also service the following High Risk Industries:
EMS
- Tattoo Shops
- Industrial
- Auto
- Laboratory
Powder vs. Powder-Free
Powder is used to make gloves easier to pull on, and to keep them from sticking together. It can act as a vehicle for the transmission of latex proteins. Typical powders used are cornstarch and oatmeal. Powder-free gloves typically cost more, since powders must be removed from the glove.
Latex Allergy – What does that mean?
When the body’s immune system is sensitized to a foreign protein, it may react by forming a type of antibody called IgE. Specifically directed against the foreign protein, the IgE antibody causes an allergic or immediate hypersensitivity reaction. Allergic responses may range from hives (urticaria) to allergic rhinitis (hay fever), asthma, or, in some cases, life threatening allergic attacks (anaphylaxis).
Some individuals are the carriers of allergic antibodies directed against one or more of the proteins found in natural rubber latex. Latex gloves are frequently implicated in allergic reactions because of repeated direct exposure of the wearer’s hands, or because of airborne latex proteins absorbed by the powders used to lubricate some latex gloves.
View Our Chemical Resistance Guide
Understanding Prop 65
Proposition 65 is a law requiring businesses to notify Californian residents regarding certain chemicals found in consumer goods. The law’s intent is to aide Californians in making informed decisions due to possible safety concerns over exposure to these chemicals.
Last year, the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment added Diisononyl phthalate (DINP) to their list of chemicals regulated under Proposition 65. While several governmental regulatory organizations, including the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the European Chemicals Agency, have determined DINP poses no threat to health at typical exposure levels; manufacturers selling products containing DINP in California are required to either remove the DINP component or add a warning label by December 20th, 2014.
This requirement impacts disposable glove manufacturers and distributors, as DINP is a plasticizer frequently used in the production of vinyl gloves. As of December 20th 2014, Emerald Professional Protection Products has ceased use of DINP is favor of Dioctyl Terephthalate (DOTP), a plasticizer that is fully compliant with California Proposition 65. Emerald Professional Protection Products is fully committed to quality and safety, and is proud to be your leading supplier of disposable gloves.