Understanding Chemical Resistance in Gloves

Selecting suitable hand protection involves evaluating chemical resistance performance instead of relying solely on brand claims. The efficacy of these barriers depends significantly on the polymer type, thickness, permeation rate, breakthrough time, degradation characteristics, and cuff length essential for splash protection. Employers must assess hazards and choose appropriate hand protection as per OSHA regulations 29 CFR 1910.132 and 1910.138. Additional guidance on selecting proper PPE can be found on OSHA's website.

Why Chemical Resistance Matters

Personnel in various industries including healthcare, manufacturing, construction, and sanitation frequently encounter hazardous substances like solvents, acids, caustics, isocyanates, and disinfectants. Inadequate handwear can lead to severe risks such as burns, dermatitis, or systemic toxicity, resulting in lost working hours. NIOSH emphasizes understanding dermal exposure pathways and encourages using Safety Data Sheets (SDS) alongside permeation data to verify material-specific selections.

How Materials Differ

The science behind materials determines performance against various chemical classes:

• Nitrile: Offers robust protection against numerous oils, fuels, and some solvents. Its effectiveness against ketones can vary.
• Butyl: Ideal for exposure to ketones, esters, and several polar solvents. Despite its bulkiness, it offers high breakthrough times.
• Neoprene: Provides broad resistance; effectively manages acids/caustics, but offers mixed results with solvents.
• PVC: Good for managing acids/caustics, but not as strong against many organic solvents.
• Natural Rubber (Latex): Offers flexibility and performs well against biological materials and some aqueous chemicals, but has limited resistance to many organic compounds.

Standards such as ASTM F739 for permeation and EN ISO 374 series for chemical protective gloves define testing methods and performance metrics. EU-OSHA provides detailed guidelines on selecting gloves aligning with EN categories.

Do Latex Gloves Protect from Chemicals?

Latex gloves provide limited protection against numerous solvents and are not considered universal barriers. Natural rubber performs adequately for dilute acids or bases and tasks involving minimal exposure, yet shows poor resistance to numerous hydrocarbons, ketones, and chlorinated solvents. For tasks involving intense chemical exposure, consult SDS sections 8/9 and manufacturer's permeation charts. Matching the use duration to breakthrough times, considering glove thickness and cuff length, is crucial. Often, using nitrile, butyl, or laminated films provides better long-term solvent protection than latex.

Essential Resources

• OSHA PPE Hand Protection 29 CFR 1910.138
• OSHA Personal Protective Equipment Resources
• NIOSH Skin Exposure and Dermal Absorption
• NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• ASTM F739 Permeation Test Method
• EU-OSHA Protective Gloves Overview

Buyer Tips

When purchasing, search for "chemical resistant gloves" alongside the specific substance name. Compare permeation data, ensuring chosen products meet EN ISO 374 or equivalent criteria with resistance ratings matching task duration. Incidental splashes might tolerate latex; however, for sustained exposure, prioritize rigorously tested alternatives. Double-gloving, such as using outer nitrile over latex, can offer dual protection when addressing biological safety alongside solvent handling. Validate the comprehensive breakthrough duration to reinforce safety measures.

Comparing Latex Gloves to Nitrile and Other Materials

Choosing the appropriate glove material significantly impacts protection capabilities, dexterity levels, and overall cost-effectiveness. Understanding how latex gloves measure up against nitrile and other specialty polymers, especially regarding chemical resistance and usability, helps inform safe choices. Here are expert pointers and some authoritative guidance for selecting glove materials.

Chemical Performance

• Latex Gloves: These gloves, made from natural rubber, resist many aqueous acids, bases, and biofluids but may swell or degrade when exposed to oils, fuels, and numerous organic solvents. Align glove selection with the substance’s specific permeation and degradation profile by consulting the NIOSH Pocket Guide for relevant recommendations and precautions.
• Nitrile Gloves: As a synthetic rubber alternative, nitrile typically provides enhanced barrier performance against oils, greases, fuels, and various aliphatic hydrocarbons compared to natural rubber. However, certain ketones and chlorinated solvents may mandate using specialty materials; verify with permeation data OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138.
• Neoprene: Offers balanced resistance, managing exposure to acids, caustics, and moderate solvents effectively alongside good heat aging properties.
• Butyl: Known for superb resistance against ketones like MEK, acetone, and esters, butyl gloves are often preferred for aggressive solvent environments.
• Viton/Fluoroelastomer: Features high resistance to many chlorinated and aromatic solvents, making them suitable for specific high-demand environments, albeit at a premium cost.
• PVC: Adequate for acids, caustics, and salts; however, it limits handling numerous organic solvents.
• PVA: Excels in protecting against aromatics and chlorinated solvents, but notably fails in water or humid conditions.

Both NIOSH and OSHA emphasize task-specific glove selection, considering factors such as permeation breakthrough time, degradation ratings, and whether scenarios involve splashes or immersion CDC/NIOSH PPE guidance.

Usability and Ergonomics

• Tactile Feel: Latex gloves deliver exceptional elasticity and fine touch sensitivity, favored in clinical settings.
• Strength: Amid various options, nitrile gloves stand out for providing robust puncture resistance and durability in maintenance, fabrication, and automotive applications.
• Allergy Risk: Proteins in natural rubber can trigger sensitivities. For mitigation, NIOSH outlines strategies including low-protein or non-latex alternatives.
• Grip and Comfort: Factors like texture, chlorination, foam coatings, and liner design significantly impact grip and sweat management.

Ensuring Chemical Resistance

• Begin with the chemical’s Safety Data Sheet, specifically Section 8, which includes OSHA-mandated glove recommendations and suitable material specifications.
• Validate permeation and degradation details specific to product, thickness, temperature, and expected exposure duration before use OSHA Hand Protection 1910.138.
• Cross-check these details with chemical listings in the NIOSH Pocket Guide for recommended glove materials along with cautions.
• For unknown or mixed exposures, consider higher-grade materials or validated double-gloving strategies rather than assuming lab splash gloves are suitable for immersion.

Rapid Reference by Work Scenario

• For clinical or cleanroom splash environments: latex or nitrile gloves, adjusted for allergy policies and specific agents.
• Tasks involving oils, fuels, or greases: nitrile or neoprene gloves.
• Handling of ketones or esters: butyl gloves or laminate composites.
• Use with aromatics/chlorinated solvents: Viton or PVA gloves, suitable in dry environments.

Sources of Authority:

• CDC/NIOSH: Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards
• CDC/NIOSH: Latex Allergy Information
• OSHA: Hand Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.138
• OSHA: Hazard Communication SDS Section 8 Requirements
• CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Best Gloves for Chemical Protection

Selecting appropriate hand protection for handling corrosives, solvents, and mixed-process chemicals requires careful analysis based on verified compatibility, test data, and the specific demands of each task. Guidance from OSHA mandates that employers choose hand protection backed by a thorough hazard assessment and documentation, as detailed in 29 CFR 1910.138. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in Section 8 provide recommended materials and breakthrough times for substances. These should be primary sources for decision-making (source: OSHA HazCom SDS). Meanwhile, NIOSH emphasizes the importance of reviewing permeation, degradation, and penetration performance against established test standards before selecting gloves, underscoring a risk-based approach to worker safety (source: NIOSH).

Material Quick Picks for Chemical Risks:

• Butyl (IIR): Ideal for ketones and numerous esters with extended breakthrough times; limited effectiveness against hydrocarbons.
• FKM (Viton): Suitable for chlorinated solvents and many aromatics, though it has shorter breakthrough times for ketones.
• Laminate films (PE/EVOH, like multilayer): Offers a broad-spectrum barrier against many organics but has reduced dexterity; often used beneath a sturdy outer glove.
• PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol): Effective for aromatics and chlorinated solvents but degrades with moisture—best avoided in wet conditions.
• Neoprene (CR): Reliable for acids, caustics, and some oils; balances grip with durability.
• Nitrile (NBR): Preferred for handling oils, fuels, and greases; provides moderate resistance to many bases but is less effective against strong ketones.
• Natural Rubber: Useful for certain acids and alcohols with limited solvent resistance; allergy considerations exist.

Key Considerations Before Purchasing:

• Ensure verified permeation and breakthrough times marked by ASTM F739 or EN ISO 374 standards (sources: ASTM; EU-OSHA).
• Assess degradation ratings for specific substances noted in SDS Section 8.
• Evaluate thickness, length, and cuff styles for splash, immersion, or heavy washdown.
• Check for surface textures that retain grip with oily or wet parts.
• Confirm dexterity for operating valves, handling fasteners, or conducting sampling.
• Determine compatibility with extreme temperatures, as some polymers may stiffen or swell.
• Address allergen risks; seek accelerator-free or alternative polymers if needed.
• Clear indicators for replacement, such as time-in-use limits, visible damage, or contamination occurrences, should be apparent.

While no single glove provides a universal solution, aligning polymer characteristics with the specific substances listed in SDS and verifying with manufacturer charts ensures safety. In scenarios involving strong solvents, FKM or butyl is often preferred; for acids and bases, neoprene or nitrile is typically effective; and for unknown blends, multilayer laminates offer the broadest protection with added durability. Integrate these choices into a documented program that includes training and maintenance to sustain optimal safety performance (sources: OSHA; NIOSH; NIEHS).

References:

• OSHA Hand Protection, 29 CFR 1910.138
• OSHA HazCom, Safety Data Sheets (Section 8)
• NIOSH Guidance on Chemical Protective Clothing
• EN ISO 374 overview (EU-OSHA)
• NIEHS, Environmental Health Topics

Choosing the Right Gloves for Chemical Safety

Are latex gloves suitable for chemical tasks?

Latex gloves offer limited protection, suitable mainly for splash resistance with many dilute acids or bases. However, they perform poorly against various organic solvents due to swelling and rapid permeation. Users should always verify the permeation and degradation data before use. NIOSH stresses choosing materials based on test data for the specific substance handled, not merely general material labels.

Which two types of gloves do not protect against chemicals?

Cotton and leather gloves lack chemical resistance, proving unsuitable for hazardous liquids. According to OSHA's hand protection guidance, these materials serve mainly for protection against abrasions or heat. University EHS programs reinforce this, indicating fabric and leather options do not protect against liquid chemical exposure.

How can users verify latex glove suitability for their process?

Start with the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each substance involved. Section 8 details recommended glove materials and sometimes links to relevant standards or manufacturer information. Then, confirm manufacturer permeation or breakthrough times for specific concentrations, temperatures, and wear durations. For splash risk, NIOSH suggests considering glove thickness, cuff length, and possibly double-gloving.

What materials resist aggressive chemicals better than latex?

Different materials outperform latex depending on the substance. Nitrile suits many oils and greases, some solvents, while neoprene handles acids and caustics effectively. Butyl rubber is excellent for ketones and esters; laminated PE/EVOH films cover a broad spectrum, PVC manages certain acids and bases, and Viton excels with many aromatics and chlorinated solvents. Match selection with permeation data for chemicals used.

How long can latex gloves stay in service during chemical work?

Service duration depends on breakthrough time under actual conditions. Immediate replacement is necessary after contamination, puncture, or noticeable swelling. Rotate glove pairs at intervals shorter than the published breakthrough time. Follow specific guidance from the SDS and manufacturers for optimal safety.

For more information on glove safety and selection, consider resources like the NIOSH Science Blog, OSHA guidelines, and university environmental health & safety programs.