School of
Life Sciences
/GLOVE SELECTION
/G/PPE 5
1.0 Introduction
The tragic death in 1997 of a Professor of Chemistry in the United States following a single exposure to dimethyl mercury, which passed through the latex gloves she was wearing has highlighted the importance of correct glove selection.
Where indicated as a required form of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), selection of the appropriate gloves is a vital part of the risk assessment process, to ensure adequate protection from biological, chemical or physical harm. Gloves should not be used as a substitute for good experimental procedure, which as far as is practicable, should keep contamination well clear of all skin contact including the hands.
Gloves may also be selected to protect sensitive work (e.g. biological material or electronic components) from contamination emanating from the worker (e.g. sweat and sloughed skin cells) –but in such a case they would not be considered as PPE, as they are protecting the work rather than the worker.
Many chemicals can cause skin damage or provoke allergic reactions. Some toxic chemicals can be absorbed through the skin. Biological agents can contaminate the skin, leading to infection. The correct gloves can protect skin from contact with potentially harmful substances, but an incorrect choice may be worse than wearing no gloves at all:- the wearing of such gloves may give a false sense of security and a reliance on protection that is not actually there. Harmful substances may invade gloves as a result of gross damage such as tears or pin-holes but may also penetrate more subtly by diffusion through the glove material. The wrong type of glove, i.e. those that are permeable to the substances being used, can increase potential harm by holding the substances close to the skin and, because of the warm, moist environment within the glove which makes the skin itself more permeable. Skin can also be damaged physically, for example by extremes of temperature or contact with sharp or rough materials.
2.0 General Rules for Glove Use
Gloves should be worn when:
· Handling hazardous substances (for example toxic or corrosive chemicals, biological agents)
· Handling rough or sharp materials/equipment
· Working with hot or cold materials
· Working in a cold environment
In selecting gloves some of the factors to consider are:
· the nature of the substances to which exposure might occur,
· the concentration and/or temperature of the substances, both of which can affect penetration rates,
· the frequency and duration of contact with the substances,
· the requirement for the glove material to be robust and resistant to physical damage such as tearing, abrasion or ultraviolet degradation,
· the need for dexterity and "feel" with the glove on,
· the extent of protection - hand only or wrist and forearm as well
· Select gloves which are resistant to the chemicals you may be exposed to. Consult the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS), which may recommend a particular glove material;
· Select gloves of the correct size and fitting; gloves that are too small are uncomfortable and may tear whereas overlarge gloves may interfere with dexterity. In some cases, such as use of HF, it may be advisable to select gloves that can be removed very rapidly in an emergency;
· Before use, check gloves (even new ones) for physical damage such as tears or pin- holes and for previous chemical damage;
· Some gloves, especially lightweight disposables, may be flammable: keep hands well away from naked flames or other high temperature heat sources;
· When removing gloves, do so in a way that avoids the contaminated exterior contacting the skin;
· Wash hands after removing gloves;
· Dispose of contaminated gloves properly;
· Do not attempt to re-use disposable gloves;
· Never wear possibly contaminated gloves outside of the laboratory or to handle telephones, computer keyboards, etc.
Glove Materials
Chemically resistant gloves come in a variety of materials such as natural rubber or latex, butyl rubber, neoprene, nitrile, polyethylene and PVC, sometimes in combination and in differing thickness and style. Each material protects well against certain chemicals but poorly against others. The choice of material and its thickness depends on its resistance to permeation taking into account the factors listed above. Manufacturers' literature and performance tables should give this information.
Lightweight Disposable Gloves
Disposable gloves are often chosen for routine laboratory work because they are cheap and convenient. Nitrile, latex or vinyl (PVC) gloves are common choices of disposable gloves.
Latex gloves are fully effective only against water-based solutions and are almost transparent to many organic solvents. There are also potential problems due to the latex material itself and proteins incorporated into the glove, which may cause allergic reactions and sensitisation. It is important that anyone selecting latex gloves as the appropriate form of protection from the substances they are using should select low protein, non-powdered latex gloves to minimise the risk of an allergic reaction. They should also immediately report any skin discomfort, rashes, itching or sinus symptoms following wearing of the gloves to their Supervisor and to the School Safety Adviser. Once a user is sensitized to latex in gloves, exposure to latex in any setting can trigger a reaction, not just in the laboratory – rubber bands and erasers, toy balloons, car tyres and Wellington boots for example. Persons with a history of other allergic reactions should contact the School Safety Adviser for further advice before using latex gloves, as they have been shown to be at greater risk of developing latex allergy.
Three types of reactions can occur in persons using latex products:
Irritant Contact Dermatitis: This is the most common reaction to latex products - the development of dry, itchy, irritated areas on the skin, usually the hands, caused by using gloves. The reaction can also result from repeated hand washing and drying, incomplete hand drying, use of cleaners and sanitisers, and exposure to powders added to the gloves.
Allergic Contact Dermatitis (delayed hypersensitivity): Results from exposure to chemicals added to latex during harvesting, processing, or manufacturing. The rash usually begins 24 to 48 hours after contact and may progress to oozing skin blisters or spread away from the area of skin touched by the latex.
Latex Allergy (or immediate hypersensitivity): Is a more serious reaction to latex than irritant contact dermatitis or allergic contact dermatitis. Certain proteins in latex may cause sensitisation. Exposures even at very low levels can trigger allergic reactions in some sensitised individuals. Reactions usually begin within minutes of exposure to latex, but they can occur hours later and can produce various symptoms. Mild reactions to latex involve skin redness, hives, or itching. More severe reactions may involve respiratory symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, and asthma (difficult breathing, coughing spells, and wheezing). Rarely, anaphylactic shock may occur, but such a life-threatening reaction is seldom the first sign of latex allergy. Such reactions are similar to those seen in some allergic persons after a bee sting.
Chemical Resistance of Disposable Gloves
The chemical compatibility information on the chart below is intended to provide general information about the reaction of Nitrile and Natural Rubber Latex glove films to the commonly used chemicals listed.
The ratings scale takes into consideration three primary factors:
1. the ability of the chemical to permeate (pass through) the glove film.
2. the ability of the chemical to degrade (break down) the physical structure of the glove film.
3. the risk that contact exposure to the chemical poses to the glove wearer.
· Verify that your gloves are compatible with your specific applications, processes and materials before using.
· When performing processes where gloves will receive prolonged, direct exposure to chemicals, use a glove specifically designed for chemical handling.
· Avoid the risk of chemical cross-contamination: immediately dispose of gloves after contact with chemicals.
· Double gloving provides additional barrier protection and allows the outer glove to be disposed of after contact with chemicals without exposing the hand.
· Do not use powdered gloves with substances known to pose inhalant hazards.
Information is based upon published research data. It is important to understand that variability in material thickness, chemical concentration, temperature and length of exposure to chemicals will affect specific performance. This information is for thin gauge, disposable products designed to provide barrier protection and tactile sensitivity to the wearer. Such gloves are not designed for applications involving prolonged, direct exposure to chemicals. This chemical compatibility information is provided as a guideline for the use of disposable gloves in applications where incidental splash exposure to various chemicals may occur.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE & BARRIER GUIDE
The chart is coded for ease of use. Chemicals are colour coded to reflect the health risk caused by contact exposure:
Exposure is considered VERY HAZARDOUSProlonged or repeated exposure is potentially hazardous
Exposure poses the least potential hazard
The compatibility of the glove films with each chemical is also coded:
P / POOR chemical resistanceF / FAIR chemical resistance
G - E / GOOD to EXCELLENT chemical resistance
CHEMICAL NAME / NITRILE / LATEX
ACETALDEHYDE / P / G
ACETIC ACID / G / E
ACETIC ANHYDRIDE / F / G
ACETONE / F / G
ACETONITRILE / F / F
ACRYLIC ACID / G / G
AMMONIUM ACETATE / E / E
AMMONIUM CARBONATE / E / E
AMMONIUM FLUORIDE, 30-70% / E / E
AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE, 30 -70% / E / E
AMMONIUM HYDROXIDE,<30% / E / E
AMYL ALCOHOL / E / G
ANILINE / F / G
AQUA REGIA / P / P
AZT / No information / G
BENZALDEHYDE / P / F
BENZENE / F / P
BORIC ACID / E / G
BROMOPROPIONIC ACID / F / G
BUTYL ACRYLATE / P / P
BUTYL CELLUSOLVE / G / G
CALCIUM HYDROXIDE / E / E
CARBON DISULFIDE / G / P
CARBON TETRACHLORIDE / P / P
CHLOROBENZENE / P / P
CHLORODIBROMOMETHANE / P / P
CHLOROFORM / P / P
CHLORONAPHTHALENES / P / P
CHROMIC ACID / F / P
CHEMICAL NAME / NITRILE / LATEX
CISPLATIN / G / G
CITRIC ACID, 30-70% / E / E
CYCLOHEXANE / E / P
CYCLOHEXANOL / E / G
CYCLOHEXANONE / P / P
CYCLOHEXYLAMINE / P / P
DI-N-AMYLAMINE / E / P
DI-N-BUTYLAMINE / E / P
DI-N-BUTYL PHTHALATE / E / F
DI-N-OCTYL PHTHALATE / E / F
DIACETONE ALCOHOL / G / F
DIALLYLAMINE / P / P
DICHLOROACETYL CHLORIDE / P / P
DIESEL FUEL / E / P
DIETHANOLAMINE / E / E
DIETHYLAMINE / G / F
DIETHYLENE GLYCOL / E / E
DIETHYLENETRIAMINE / P / P
DIISOBUTYL KETONE / G / P
DIISOBUTYLAMINE / E / P
DIMETHYL ETHER / G / P
DIMETHYL SULFOXIDE (DMSO) / G / E
DIMETHYLACETAMIDE / F / G
DIMETHYLFORMAMIDE (DMF) / P / P
1, 3-DIOXANE / P / F
1, 4-DIOXANE / P / P
EPICHLOROHYDRIN / P / F
ETHANOL / E / E
ETHYL ACETATE / P / F
ETHYL ETHER / G / P
ETHYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHYL ETHER / F / F
ETHYLENE DICHLORIDE / P / P
ETHYLENE GLYCOL / E / E
FORMALDEHYDE, 30-70% / E / G
FORMIC ACID / G / E
FREON 113 OR TF / E / P
FREON TMC / F / F
FURFURAL / P / P
GASOLINE, 40-50% AROMATICS / E / P
GASOLINE, UNLEADED / G / P
CHEMICAL NAME / NITRILE / LATEX
GLUTARALDEHYDE, <5% / G / G
GLYCEROL / E / E
HEPTANES / E / P
HEXAMETHYLDISILOXANE / G / P
HEXANE / E / P
HYDRAZINE / E / F
HYDROCHLORIC ACID, <30% / G / E
HYDROCHLORIC ACID, 30-70% / G / G
HYDROFLUORIC ACID, <50% / E / E
ISOBUTYL ALCOHOL / E / P
ISOOCTANE / E / P
ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL / E / E
ISOPROPYLAMINE / P / P
JET FUEL <30% AROMATICS 73-248C, / G / P
KEROSENE / E / P
LACTIC ACID / E / E
LAURIC ACID / G / G
MALATHION,30-70% / E / E
MALEIC ACID / G / G
METHANOL / F / F
METHYL ACETATE / P / P
METHYL ETHYL KETONE / P / P
METHYL ISOBUTYL KETONE / P / P
METHYL METHACRYLATE / P / P
METHYLENE CHLORIDE / P / P
N-AMYL ACETATE / F / P
N-BUTYL ACETATE / F / P
N-BUTYL ALCOHOL / E / E
N-METHYL-2-PYRROLIDONE / P / E
N-NITROSODIETHYLAMINE / P / No information
N-PROPYL ALCOHOL / E / E
NAPHTHA, 15-20% AROMATICS / E / P
NAPHTHA, <3% AROMATICS / E / P
NITRIC ACID, <30% / E / E
NITRIC ACID, 30-70% / P / P
NITROBENZENE / F / F
NITROETHANE / P / E
1-NITROPROPANE / P / G
2-NITROPROPANE / P / P
OCTANE / E / P
CHEMICAL NAME / NITRILE / LATEX
OCTYL ALCOHOL / E / E
OLEIC ACID / E / G
OXALIC ACID / E / E
PALMITIC ACID / E / F
PCB (POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYLS) / G / P
PENTACHLOROPHENOL / G / P
PENTANE / E / P
PERCHLORIC ACID, 30-70% / E / F
PERCHLOROETHYLENE / G / P
PEROXYACETIC ACID / P / P
PETROLEUM ETHERS, 80-110C / G / P
PHENOL,>70% / G / G
PHOSPHORIC ACID, >70% / E / G
PICRIC ACID / E / G
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE / E / G
POTASSIUM IODIDE / E / E
PROPYL ACETATE / F / P
PYRIDINE / P / P
SILICON ETCH / P / P
SILVER NITRATE / G / E
SODIUM CARBONATE / E / E
SODIUM CHLORIDE / E / E
SODIUM FLUORIDE / E / E
SODIUM HYDROXIDE, 30-70% / E / E
SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE / E / E
SODIUM THIOSULFATE / E / E
STYRENE / P / P
SULFURIC ACID, <30% / No information / E
SULFURIC ACID, 30-70% / F / E
SULFURIC ACID, >70% / P / P
TANNIC ACID / G / G
1,2,4,5-TETRACHLOROBENZENE / E / No Information
1,1,1,2-TETRACHLOROETHANE / F / P
TETRAHYDROFURAN / F / P
TOLUENE / F / P
TOLUENE-2,4-DIISOCYANATE (TDI) / P / P
1,2,4-TRICHLOROBENZENE / F / P
1,1,1-TRICHLOROETHANE / P / P
1,1,2-TRICHLOROETHANE / P / P
TRICHLOROETHYLENE / P / P
TRICRESYL PHOSPHATE / G / G
TRIETHANOLAMINE / E / E
TURPENTINE / E / P
XYLENES / F / P
Issued: 22nd July 2004 Page 1 of 8 Rev 1.0