Introduction to Chemical Resistant Gloves

Skin contact with harmful chemicals poses significant health risks, such as burns and absorption. Diverse industries, including laboratories, healthcare, manufacturing, food processing, and maintenance, rely on chemical-resistant gloves to mitigate these dangers. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) regulations, employers must select appropriate hand protection based on identified hazards, including hazardous chemicals, as per 29 CFR 1910.138. Implementing clear practices for glove selection, maintenance, and timely replacement can enhance workplace safety and reduce costs associated with medical claims and operational downtime.

Chemical-resistant gloves are crafted from various materials tailored to counteract specific chemical exposures. Here is a breakdown of materials and their applications:

• Nitrile: Suitable for handling fuels, oils, and many solvents.
• Neoprene: Effective against acids, caustics, and moderate oxidizers.
• Butyl: Offers protection from ketones, esters, and strong acids with long breakthrough times.
• Natural Rubber: Ideal for bases and some acids with limited solvent resistance.
• PVC: Protects against many acids and bases but performs poorly with numerous organic solvents.
• PVA: Resists aromatics and chlorinated solvents but fails in water-based environments.
• Fluoroelastomers (e.g., Viton): Effective against aggressive organics.
• Multilayer Laminates (e.g., PE/EVOH films): Provides broad-spectrum protection.

Determining chemical resistance in gloves involves consulting reliable resources:

• OSHA’s guidance on glove materials, selection criteria, and limitations provides a solid foundation OSHA Chemical-Resistant Gloves.
• Test data verification is crucial. Seek permeation testing following ASTM F739 standards and degradation assessments. NIOSH’s PPE-Info database offers accessible references on glove standards and testing methods CDC/NIOSH PPE-Info.
• European markings, like EN ISO 374 pictograms, indicate tested chemicals and performance levels Wikipedia EN 374.
• Safety Data Sheets are invaluable in identifying chemicals, concentrations, and recommended protection measures OSHA SDS.

When purchasing, ensure gloves meet requirements for size, dexterity, grip, cuff style, and replacement frequency based on actual contact time and exposure type. For prolonged exposure, select gloves with breakthrough times exceeding anticipated contact periods. Next, explore how material choices influence durability, dexterity, and cost implications in glove construction.

Comprehensive Guide to Chemical Resistant Glove Materials

When it comes to safeguarding workers from chemical exposure, selecting the ideal glove material requires careful evaluation. Key considerations include identifying the chemical hazard, understanding exposure duration, and assessing task mechanics. Employers must align glove choices with specific threats, not general categories, based on OSHA's guidance detailed in 29 CFR 1910.138. Performance characteristics should be matched against Safety Data Sheet (SDS) information. NIOSH emphasizes the importance of examining degradation, permeation rate, and breakthrough time, with detailed examination essential when consulting manufacturer charts for handling distinct chemicals safely.

Material Overviews

Nitrile (NBR)

Nitrile gloves provide excellent protection against oils, fuels, and many petroleum solvents. They exhibit notable puncture resistance and good abrasion characteristics. However, they perform less effectively against ketones and some polar solvents. Thickness and liner type influence breakthrough times significantly, offering options from disposable to robust heavy-duty formats. See more about NBR chemistry here.

Neoprene (Polychloroprene)

This material is ideal for handling acids, caustics, peroxides, and oxidizers, along with decent heat resistance. Yet, its resistance to numerous hydrocarbons is only moderate. More details on this polymer can be found here.

Butyl Rubber (IIR)

Renowned for its strength against ketones, esters, glycol ethers, and strong acids, butyl rubber does not fare well with aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. View its material primer here.

Viton/FKM

Offering robust protection against aromatic and chlorinated solvents and supporting high-temperature stability, Viton is known for its stiffness and higher cost. It is not suitable for all polar solvents.

Natural Rubber Latex

This material handles many acids and alkalis well, providing good elasticity and grip. Caution is advised due to potential allergy concerns, necessitating site control measures per OSHA and NIOSH guidelines.

PVC

Economical for splash protection, PVC gloves can withstand acids, caustics, and salts but do not perform well with organic solvents and many hydrocarbons.

PVA

Effective against aromatics and chlorinated solvents, PVA is water-sensitive and unsuitable for aqueous tasks.

Laminate Film (PE/EVOH; “SilverShield”/Norfoil)

Laminate films provide broad-spectrum permeation resistance across challenging solvents but offer limited grip and dexterity, often suggesting use as an inner barrier with an outer overglove.

Specialty Blends

Hybrid constructions encompass layers to enhance protection while maintaining ease of use. Many use synthetic rubber compounds tailored for specific chemical families.

Key Considerations

Glove Selection for Chemical Resistance

Choosing gloves demands cross-referencing the glove polymer with each substance utilizing information from SDS and manufacturer permeation charts. Verifying breakthrough time for anticipated exposure conditions is critical. NIOSH resources explain data interpretation and planning for splash protection versus immersion. OSHA mandates a risk-based selection process, aligning with regulatory standards.

Limitations of Nitrile

Due to varied characteristics, not all nitrile gloves resist chemicals equally. Thin examination gloves suit incidental splashes against oils or fuels but not extended immersion or polar solvents. Thicker industrial types offer extended breakthrough times. Always confirm glove specifications against permeation data for the exact chemical handled.

Informed decisions based on technical data ensure optimal worker protection against chemical hazards.

Advantages of Selecting Diverse Materials for Hand Protection

Choosing the most appropriate polymer type requires a nuanced evaluation of various factors. Considerations include task hazards, chemical exposure, dexterity needs, thermal environments, grip requirements, and cuff measurements. Policies from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) emphasize employers should select hand protection based on specific hazards rather than relying on universal solutions (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138).

Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves deliver strong resistance against oils, fuels, and multiple hydrocarbons while offering good puncture resistance. Free from latex, they provide a tactile feel, appealing to those with latex sensitivities. However, certain formulations exhibit weak results against ketones, strong oxidizers, and halogenated solvents (UC Berkeley EHS Glove Selection Guide, Nitrile rubber — Wikipedia).

Neoprene Gloves

Neoprene offers wide-ranging chemical protection, excellent wet grip, and reliable weather and flame resistance. It also tolerates moderate temperatures well. Performance may decline when contacting certain aromatic or chlorinated solvents (UC Berkeley EHS, Neoprene — Wikipedia).

Butyl Rubber

Butyl rubber stands out as the top choice for handling ketones, esters, aldehydes, and nitro compounds. It boasts excellent gas impermeability but falls short with aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons (Princeton EHS, Butyl rubber — Wikipedia).

Fluoroelastomer (Viton)

Fluoroelastomer gloves, such as Viton, exhibit high resistance to chlorinated and aromatic solvents. They maintain stability under high temperatures and long permeation times against aggressive organics. Ketones and some amines pose limitations (Princeton EHS, Viton — Wikipedia).

PVC Gloves

PVC gloves present an economical choice for acids, bases, and salts. Their suitability extends to many aqueous solutions and an ability to handle abrasion. They are less ideal for numerous organic solvents (UW EHS Glove Guidelines (PDF)).

PVA Gloves

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) excels as a barrier for many aromatics and chlorinated solvents but dissolves in water, necessitating dry workspace conditions (Princeton EHS, Polyvinyl alcohol — Wikipedia).

Multilayer Laminates

Multilayer laminates, like those made from PE/EVAL, offer broad-spectrum protection with long breakthrough times. While thin films provide extensive coverage, they compromise grip, dexterity, and snag resistance. They are often used under sturdier outer layers (UC Berkeley EHS).

Material thickness, finish, lining, and cuff length significantly impact performance. Consulting compatibility charts from credible sources guides optimal resistant glove selection for each chemical combination. Appropriate material choices enhance durability, maintain hand functionality, and provide robust chemical protection. For prolonged immersion or splash exposure, specifying thicker grades and longer cuffs ensures sustained safety, keeping resistant gloves effective throughout each task.

Sources:

• OSHA Hand Protection Standard: OSHA 29 CFR 1910.138
• UC Berkeley EHS Glove Selection Guide: UC Berkeley EHS Guide
• Princeton University EHS: Princeton EHS
• University of Washington EHS: UW EHS (PDF)
• Nitrile rubber properties: Wikipedia
• Neoprene properties: Wikipedia
• Butyl rubber properties: Wikipedia
• Viton properties: Wikipedia
• Polyvinyl alcohol properties: Wikipedia