BUYING BASICS Choosing the right glove for the right use is - PDF document

A trusted vendor with the State of Ohio for over 10 years and your best choice for high quality gloves. BUYING BASICS Choosing the right glove for the right use is important and BFI Products, Inc. can make your selection process easy. Consider your preference of material, texture, thickness, color, and length as you choose a glove. Material: Latex or Nitrile Traditionally, latex gloves have been very popular as a medical exam grade glove. In the early 1990’s the demand for gloves increased dramatically primarily due to healthcare professionals needing protection from the HIV virus. To keep up with demand, some manufacturers neglected quality control and as a result many gloves began showing pinholes and started tearing. In 1976, the FDA began regulating the production of latex gloves for quality reasons. Gloves that do not meet FDA medical quality standards are described as non-medical general purpose or industrial quality gloves. In recent years, nitrile gloves and other latex-free gloves are becoming more popular. Many glove wearers and those who come in contact with gloves have an allergy to natural rubber. As a result, many healthcare facilities are moving to a totally latex-free environment. New polymer technology has made nitrile gloves more comfortable to wear and new manufacturing methods have made them more affordable.

Latex Gloves Advantages: - Comfort and dexterity - Easy to put on, grea ter flexibility - Polymer coating replaces corn starch powders Disadvantages: - Risk of allergic reaction to natural rubber - Thinner gloves cause more pinholes and tearing - Dissolves when in contact with oils, grease and other hydrocarbons Nitrile Gloves Advantages: - No allergic reaction to natural rubber. - Improved polymer technology creating a more comfortable fit - Increased demand and manufacturing methods making it more affordable Disadvantages: - Dissolves when in contact with acetone. Thickness Powdered versus Powder-Free Disposable exam gloves generally have a thickness Powder absorbs the proteins in the latex glove and of between 2 and 11 mils. A thicker glove offers passes it onto the hand. For many users this causes more protection and is less likely to tear. an allergic reaction. Thus, powder-free gloves are worn more frequently. For a more superior powder-free latex glove consider one that is Color polymer coated. The polymer coating makes the glove easier to put on and creates a barrier of Color is merely a preference. It has no effect on a protection from the latex. glove’s performance. Length Textured versus Non-Textured Smooth gloves are more standard in the industry. A standard glove has a cuff of 9.5” in length. When your work requires a good grip, consider a Gloves with an extended cuff of 11.5” in length glove with texture. offer greater protection for the user.

GLOVES BY INDUSTRY HEALTHCARE Powder- free latex gloves have traditionally been the most popular glove in the medical market. In a move to a totally latex-free environment, powder-free nitrile gloves are replacing or supplementing latex gloves. Glove Options: 6.5 mils Textured 9.5“ Powder-Free Latex Glove ( Item # BSP) 6.5 mils Textured 9.5” Polymer Coated Powder-Free Latex Glove (Item # BPF) 4.0 mils Textured 9.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # SNT) 5.0 mils Textured 9.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # BNTP) EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES This category has a need for a High Risk EMS glove. Glove Options: 11.0 mils Textured 11.5“ Polymer Coated Powder Free Latex Glove (Item # BHZ) 5.0 mils Textured 9.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # BNTP) 4.0 mils Textured 11.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # BHN) POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS This category has a need for a high performance nitrile glove. Glove Options: 4.0 mils Textured 9.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # SNT) 11.0 mils Textured 11.5 “ Polymer Coated Powder-Free Latex Glove (Item # BHZ) 4.0 mils Textured 11.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # BHN) PRISONS This category has a need for a durable, extra strong, extra thick glove. Glove Options: 4.0 mils Textured 9.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # SNT) 6.5 mils Smooth 9.5” Powdered Latex Glove (Item # PFT) 6.5 mils Textured 9.5“ Powder-Free Latex Glove ( Item # BSP) 5.0 mils Textured 9.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # BNTP) LABORATORIES This category has a need for a strong, chemical resistant glove. Glove Options: 4.0 mils Textured 9.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # SNT) 5.0 mils Textured 9.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # BNTP) 4.0 mils Textured 11.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # BHN) MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRIAL This category has a need for a durable and strong glove. Glove Options: 5.0 mils Textured 9.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # BNTP) 4.0 mils Textured 11.5” Powder-Free Blue Nitrile Glove (Item # BHN)