Introduction to Chemical Resistant Gloves

Across various sectors such as laboratories, healthcare facilities, construction sites, and manufacturing units, chemical resistant gloves are essential in preventing dermal exposure that can lead to recordable incidents and long-term health issues. To comply with OSHA's regulations, employers must assess hand hazards and provide adequate protection as stated in 29 CFR 1910.138. Guidance for selecting suitable gloves is available on OSHA's glove resource page here and the core regulation here. Proper glove selection requires consideration of chemical type, concentration, temperature, contact duration, and ergonomics to balance hand movement with protective barriers.

Materials Used in Chemically Resistant Gloves

Various materials offer different levels of resistance for specific needs:

• Nitrile: Offers broad resistance to oils, fuels, and multiple solvents.
• Neoprene (chloroprene): Effective against acids, caustics, and moderate-level solvents.
• Butyl rubber: Excels with ketones, esters, and provides strong permeation resistance.
• FKM (Viton): Designed for aggressive chlorinated and aromatic solvents.
• PVC: Suitable for acids, bases, salts, but not many solvents.
• Natural rubber latex: Used for acids and bases, but unsuitable for many organics. Allergy risks noted by NIOSH are here.
• Multilayer laminates (e.g., PE/EVOH): Offer very low permeation across a wide range, though they compromise dexterity.

The NIOSH’s PPE-Info database offers information on standards and test data for evaluating materials and ratings here. No universal material resists all substances.

Evaluating Chemical Resistance in Gloves

• Check the Safety Data Sheet, Section 8 as per OSHA Hazard Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200 which suggests suitable glove types and breakthrough criteria here.
• Look for compliance marks and test methods like ASTM F739 permeation testing here and EN ISO 374 standards from EU-OSHA here.
• Verify compatibility charts against used chemicals, temperature levels, and exposure durations by cross-referencing with NIOSH PPE-Info.
• Evaluate if the gloves offer appropriate thickness and cuff length for specific exposures, alongside degradation performance for splash or immersion tasks.
• Regularly inspect gloves and establish change-out intervals aligned with breakthrough times, task cycles, and visible wear.

When utilized effectively, chemical resistant gloves provide targeted safety solutions aligned with OSHA mandates and practical tasks, further detailed in the material selection guide.

Materials Used in Chemical Resistant Gloves

Selecting appropriate chemical-resistant gloves involves understanding permeation, degradation, and breakthrough time based on different chemicals. The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandates using gloves suited to specific hazards, backed by documented performance rather than brand labels, in regulation 29 CFR 1910.138 (OSHA). The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers resources for selecting gloves through its PPE-Info database, which includes detailed test results based on penetration data and ASTM standards (CDC/NIOSH PPE-Info and CDC/NIOSH Chemical Protective Clothing).

Today’s glove materials range from synthetic rubber to thermoplastics and multilayer laminates. Factors like thickness, lining, and surface texture, along with construction type (unsupported vs. supported), influence their effectiveness. These materials generally adhere to ASTM F739 permeation testing requirements for resisting liquid chemicals (ASTM F739).

Various glove materials offer specific benefits:

• Nitrile (NBR): Suits tasks involving oil, grease, fuel, and aliphatic hydrocarbons. These gloves perform well in terms of abrasion resistance and puncture integrity. However, caution is needed with ketones and chlorinated solvents. Checking permeation charts before solvent exposure is advisable (Nitrile Rubber Wiki).
• Neoprene (polychloroprene): Balances resistance against acids, peroxides, and common cleaning agents like bleach, all while maintaining abrasion resistance and flexibility. Useful in maintenance and laboratory applications (Neoprene Wiki).
• Butyl rubber (IIR): Offers exceptional protection from ketones, esters, and various gases; however, it has weaknesses with hydrocarbons. Best for handling aggressive solvents.
• Viton/FKM: Known for resilience against aromatic and chlorinated solvents, many fuels, and some acids. Opt for Viton in environments where high-swelling solvents prevail.
• PVC: Exhibits strong performance with acids, bases, and salts; less so with many organic solvents. Serves as a cost-effective solution for bulk handling and splash protection.
• PVA: Effective barrier against aromatic solvents but dissolves in water or alcohols. Often worn with overgloves to manage moisture.
• Laminate (PE/EVOH, e.g., SilverShield/4H): Offers broad-spectrum protection with minimal permeation; trade-offs include low grip and dexterity, requiring mechanical overgloves.
• Natural rubber latex: Provides elasticity and tactile sensitivity for dilute acids and bases, avoiding oils/solvents and considering latex allergies.

Common inquiries from buyers include what gloves resist specific chemicals best. Optimal selection matches glove material to the exact chemical, focusing on concentrations, temperature, and exposure duration, verified through tools like the NIOSH PPE-Info database and ASTM F739 testing standards. Utilize appropriate thickness and opt for extended cuffs and double-gloving with an internal laminate barrier for hazardous tasks (CDC/NIOSH PPE-Info and CDC/NIOSH Chemical Protective Clothing). While nitrile gloves often provide chemical resistance, performance can vary based on formulation, thickness, and testing. Exam-type nitrile gloves may protect against splashes but may fail with ketones or robust solvents; select industry-standard nitrile gloves or other materials like butyl or Viton for such challenges. Double-check claims using permeation data, especially for cytotoxic drugs compliant with ASTM D6978, ensuring adherence to standards within OSHA regulations and NIOSH databases (OSHA 1910.138 and CDC/NIOSH).

Exploring Material Choices for Chemical-Resistant Gloves

The selection of material significantly impacts not only chemical performance but also dexterity and overall longevity of resistant gloves. Employers are mandated by OSHA (29 CFR 1910.138) to select hand protection based on hazard assessments and chemical exposure reviews, not merely brand preferences. Furthermore, NIOSH stresses using permeation, degradation, and breakthrough data as key factors for selection rather than baseless assumptions when choosing gloves.

Common Glove Materials

Nitrile (NBR): Renowned for its excellent puncture and abrasion resistance, nitrile gloves provide robust protection against oils, fuels, and various petroleum-derived solvents. This option is often preferred to avoid latex allergy issues, making it a practical choice in many industries.

Neoprene (Chloroprene): Known for versatile splash control, neoprene works well with acids, caustics, and alcohols. It remains stable under temperature variations and offers remarkable resistance to flame and weather conditions. This is a favored choice for environments requiring consistent reliability across different settings.

Butyl Rubber (IIR): Featuring low permeation rates, butyl rubber excels against ketones, esters, and nitro compounds. It maintains flexibility in colder conditions, making it suitable for prolonged use in diverse environments requiring extended contact resistance.

Fluoroelastomer (e.g., Viton): This material provides unparalleled resistance to aromatic and chlorinated solvents, retaining attributes at higher temperatures. However, it typically carries higher costs and reduced flexibility, ideal for specialized applications.

PVC: As a cost-effective selection, PVC handles many acids, bases, and salts efficiently, though it remains unsuited for numerous organic solvents. Its abrasion durability makes it a budget-friendly option for certain scenarios.

Polyurethane (PU): Valued for its high tactile sensitivity and abrasion resistance, polyurethane often acts as a coating over liners to enhance grip. It offers limited chemical resistance, serving best in light-duty scenarios.

Essential Considerations

No single glove fits all needs. Standardized permeation results, EN ISO 374 chemical lists, and ASTM F739 test data are crucial for informed decisions. Factors such as thickness, liner type, texture, and cuff length influence protection levels materially. For tasks with high uncertainty, layering disposable nitrile under a reusable gauntlet might prove beneficial. Efficiently matched resistant gloves, chosen based on up-to-date compatibility charts, significantly mitigate risks of failure and downtime.