The thickness of disposable gloves is measured in mils. A mil equals one-thousandth of an inch (0.001 inch). Disposable gloves can be as thick as 8 to 15 mils, but general purpose disposable gloves are typically 2 to 4 mils thick. For comparison, a plastic grocery bag is around 3 mils thick. Thinner gloves are …

What is the measurement of glove thickness and how does it affect glove applications? Read More »

This is a common misconception by most glove users. Users should not judge the level of protection purely based on glove’s thickness. Instead, it is best verified against the various performance requirement testing that the gloves have underwent according to the relevant international glove standards. At Hartalega, with the modern advancement of glove technology, thin …

Thinnest gloves offer least protection to the users. Is that true? Read More »

The best way to explain the cost of the glove is to first understand the components that go into making the glove: the raw materials, labour and other fixed costs as well as the final gram weight of the gloves. Although we, in fact, can reduce the cost of the raw materials when making the …

Shouldn’t a glove that is only half as thick be half the price? Read More »

Generally, latex gloves exhibit better wet grip and hence feel less slippery. However, with the latest technology employed in glove production, nitrile gloves have significantly improved in wet grip. During the initial period of glove switching from latex to nitrile, users might need some time to get accustomed to the different characteristics and ‘feel’ of …

Some dentists’ feedback with regards to nitrile glove usage is that it is slippery and cannot hold well to dental equipment. Is this a common setback as compared to latex gloves? Read More »

Several factors can affect glove discoloration: Acidic perspiration may react with chemical additives in the glove resulting in discoloration. Chlorination can result in darker cuffs. This is not a problem unless there is a notable loss of strength as seen in over-chlorinated or over-heated gloves. A chemical reaction between residual nicotine deposits (found between the …

Why do some gloves turn brown when I put them on? Read More »

Medical gloves are not intended for disinfection and re-use (World Health Organization’s Glove Use Information Leaflet). Therefore, this lies beyond the scope of risk assessment by the manufacturer. Such practice means a health risk for the patient and the health care workers (risk of infection, skin damage), since microfine glove lesions and the result of …

Is it possible to disinfect medical gloves? Read More »

Medical gloves are single-use items for safety reasons and the reprocessing of used disposable medical gloves for reuse is not recommended for the following reasons: Soiled used medical gloves are usually highly contaminated. Reprocessing of these gloves may not be able to completely decontaminate them, basically due to the glove design. Used gloves also contain …

Can medical gloves be reprocessed and reused? Read More »

Improper storage will promote glove degradation and shorten shelf life. Store gloves in their original packaging in a dry, ventilated environment. Do not store above 40°C. Avoid direct sunlight, fluorescent lighting, heat and moisture. Continually rotate stock using the first in, first out (FIFO) concept.

In general, gloves have an average shelf life of 3 to 5 years. This time frame can be affected by general storage conditions such as heat, humidity, exposure to direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting.

Medical gloves were designed to serve as protective barriers and may still offer some protection even when they are used beyond the manufacturer’s designated shelf life or expiration date. The user should inspect all gloves prior to use and if there are concerns such as discoloration, visible holes or tears, the product should be discarded. …

Can we use expired medical gloves? Do they offer the protection needed? Read More »