Here are three main things to consider when choosing a glove:
1) Determine the purpose of the glove. Is it simply to keep your
hands clean from the usual dust or dirt, or do you need protection from
handling possible biohazards or chemicals?
2) Does the user need to maintain a sense of sensitivity in the fingers when wearing the gloves?
3) Does the user have sensitive skin and possible allergies to latex?
Latex Gloves provide an excellent barrier to viral
transmission, has a high resistance to tears and punctures and has
excellent tactile sensitivity for better feel. However, latex's
resistance to oil and grease is not as good, they contain residual
chemicals and proteins.
Vinyl Gloves are protein free and have a good resistance to
light and ozone. However, they have inferior barrier properties, are
susceptible to sharp objects and have poor elasticity and strength.
Nitrile Gloves are protein free, have good elasticity (but
lower than latex), strength, durability and barrier properties against
viral transmission. However, they have a low resistance to tears,
contains residual chemicals similar to latex and has poor resistance to
benzene, methylene chloride and many ketones.
A Few More Tips:
Medical Grade Gloves have FDA oversight and approval for
handling blood borne pathogens (blood, urine, etc.). If the box does not
say "Exam" or "Examination", the gloves are not medical grade.
Industrial Grade Gloves are typically used for industrial or non-medical purposes, such as food service or cleaning markets.
Powder Free Gloves are more exensively washed in the
manufacturing process reducing latex proteins and chemicals, which
reduces allergies. These gloves tend to be more expensive, so be wary
of cheaper versions which can be weak and difficult to don.
