1) What qualities should I look for when selecting gloves?
2) Should I double glove?
3) Can I wash and reuse disposable gloves?
4) How can I tell if a glove is OK to use?
5) Do all latex gloves offer the same barrier protection?
6) What are some factors that can affect barrier properties?
7) Can storage of gloves near X-ray or UV light be detrimental to glove barrier integrity?
8) How should I store gloves?
9) How should you dispose of latex gloves?
10) What are some of the symptoms of glove degradation?
11) What are some of the causes of degradation?
12) Can Anusham gloves be used to handle harsh chemicals?

1) What qualities should I look for when selecting gloves?

Gloves should be comfortable, durable, sensitive to touch (tactile sensitivity), safe, cost-effective and readily available. Gloves should be low in chemicals and proteins to reduce the risk of developing glove-associated sensitivities, another factor in considering cost effectiveness.

2) Should I double glove?

Double gloving is recommended where there is concern for personal safety and when high-risk biohazards are present, while working with sharp instruments. Always follow your company or healthcare facility guidelines when working in a potentially hazardous environment. Keep in mind that gloves should be appropriate for the task at hand. While good quality latex gloves provide an excellent biological barrier, they are not intended for applications involving prolonged, direct exposure to harsh chemicals where heavy duty or industrial gloves are required.

3) Can I wash and reuse disposable gloves?

NEVER REUSE DISPOSABLE GLOVES. Washing gloves does not effectively remove contamination. In addition, it is important to note that immersing gloves in soaps and disinfectants over a period of time may affect the barrier properties and place the user at risk. Disposable gloves are meant for single use only.

4) How can I tell if a glove is OK to use?

Check the glove for signs of damage. Do not use the glove if any of the packaging shows water stains. Holes or dry, brittle gloves may be result of poor storage conditions and an indication of barrier breakdown. Sterile gloves should never be used if the package is damaged or open.

5) Do all latex gloves offer the same barrier protection?

Glove durability may vary from one manufacturer to another. This may be a function of the rubber compounding, formulation and /or the manufacturing processes. However, all latex medical gloves must comply with the standard specification for rubber gloves described by the Bureau of Indian Standards (ISI) or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

6) What are some factors that can affect barrier properties?

Glove formulation, manufacturing processes, storage conditions and wearer’s care can all affect the barrier properties of gloves.

7) Can storage of gloves near X-ray or UV light be detrimental to glove barrier integrity?

Yes. Most of the energy generating sources produce ozone, which can degrade latex and most synthetic gloves.

8) How should I store gloves?

Improper storage will promote the degradation of gloves and shorten shelf life. Gloves should be stored where the temperature does not exceed 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). Boxes should be free of dust and be shielded from exposure to direct sunlight or intense artificial light. They should be stored away from X-ray machines and other energy generating sources that produce ozone while running. Stock should be continually rotated in a First In, First Out (FIFO) fashion.

9) How should you dispose of latex gloves?

Gloves that come in contact with infectious persons, animals or biological matter should be disposed of using appropriate contamination control procedures. Gloves not subject to contamination control may be disposed of as domestic waste. It is important to follow institutional infection control and occupational exposure recommended practices for glove disposal.

10) What are some of the symptoms of glove degradation?

Gloves that are beginning to degrade may be tacky to the touch, too hard or brittle. Gloves that show signs of degradation may have altered barrier properties.

11) What are some of the causes of degradation?

Exposure to ozone, high concentrations of oxygen, heat, high humidity, oils, incompatible chemicals, UV or high intensity fluorescent lighting, X-ray machines or other electrical sources such as generators may cause degradation of gloves over time.

12) Can Anusham gloves be used to handle harsh chemicals?

Although any good quality glove provides an excellent biological barrier, they are not intended for applications involving prolonged, direct exposure to harsh chemicals. We recommend using heavy duty or industrial gloves to maximize personal safety.