Jul. 28, 2025
Medical-grade gloves are a vital piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) for many professional environments. Though most often used in healthcare settings, disposable medical gloves are also necessary for caregivers, food handlers, dentists and other professionals. Wherever health and sanitation are top concerns, protective gloves are essential. They help stop the spread of germs and viruses, promoting the safety of both employees and those they serve.
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If you need disposable gloves for your professional environment, choosing the best possible kind of glove is critical. You’ll need to understand the difference between various disposable glove types. Not all gloves are the same — different materials, strength levels and other features lend themselves to distinct purposes. Below, we’ll discuss the 10 most important considerations for stocking up on gloves.
Only some disposable gloves qualify as medical gloves. To fit the medical-grade description, disposable gloves must meet Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quality assurance guidelines. These guidelines ensure all gloves used in medical settings are durable and reliable, not flimsy or brittle. For patient examinations, gloves must have an acceptable quality level (AQL) no higher than 2.5. That rating means no more than 2.5% of the gloves in a batch can have defects. These gloves are non-sterile — sterile gloves must have an even lower AQL measure.
Manufacturers have to keep up with stringent testing measures to achieve a score of 2.5 or lower. Gloves with an AQL higher than 4 or 5 are only acceptable for mechanical or industrial purposes. Rigorous AQL standards require glove manufacturers to employ uncompromising quality control. The AQL scoring guide helps ensure gloves used for medical purposes are without defects. Tears or other lapses in quality could leave healthcare professionals and their patients vulnerable to pathogens or other contaminants.
Depending on your application, you’ll have to decide on an acceptable AQL rating. You may be able to find industry standards, but if not, opt for lower AQL numbers for the best quality disposable gloves. Keep in mind, doctors use gloves with AQL scores of 2.5 or lower during patient examinations. A similar score would likely suffice for your environment unless you need them for surgical purposes.
Disposable gloves with an acceptable AQL rating come in a variety of materials. One of the first things you should consider is your glove material preference. Different glove materials are useful for different purposes, so it’s a good idea to learn about the available options before making a bulk purchase.
Nitrile gloves are one of the best alternatives to latex gloves, offering a longer average shelf life. Standard nitrile gloves are an ideal non-sterile option. A powder-free, latex-free nitrile glove is resistant to chemicals, oils and acids. Nitrile’s strength makes these gloves tough and helps them stay puncture-free, even when worn for extended periods. If latex allergies are an issue, nitrile gloves offer a flexible, touch-sensitive alternative. You can buy bulk orders of nitrile gloves in a variety of colors and sizes.
Latex is a comfortable, inexpensive glove option suitable for most medical environments. They’ve been a staple of many healthcare facilities since the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic of the s. With that said, latex allergies are common. There’s a high likelihood someone in your organization or someone you serve will have a latex allergy. If you’re purchasing gloves for widespread use, you might consider a material less likely to cause allergic reactions, such as nitrile or vinyl. Latex also has a short shelf life compared to other materials.
Another option is a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) glove. PVC is a common synthetic plastic polymer. Since they’re easy to mass-produce, these gloves are one of the least expensive options. They’re also less durable than other glove types, and they offer limited hazard protection. For that reason, PVC gloves are best suited for low-hazard applications. In some cases, a nitrile-vinyl blend glove may be the best choice for affordability and durability.
For most applications, one of the above-listed materials will suffice. Here are a few other material choices you might consider for latex-free medical gloves:
For a glove to have a “sterile” rating, it must meet strict FDA guidelines. Sterile medical gloves are acceptable for surgical purposes, so they must have the best possible AQL ratings. Sterile gloves must have an acceptable quality level of 1.5 or lower. As mentioned above, examination gloves can have an AQL as high as 2.5, so sterile gloves can be considered even safer. Because their manufacture requires strict testing, sterile gloves may have a higher price.
Though the term “non-sterile” may sound concerning, non-sterile gloves with an AQL of 2.5 or lower are acceptable for any non-surgical purposes. Using non-sterile gloves in non-surgical settings is safe and reduces the risk of disease transmission. Most healthcare workers use non-sterile gloves for patient examination purposes.
Non-sterile gloves work well for other applications, as well. If you’re looking for disposable gloves for routine cleaning, food service, caregiving or other purposes, non-sterile gloves should be fine. It’s vital to decide on an acceptable AQL rating for your purposes.
You may come across powdered and non-powdered glove options. Powdered gloves feature cornstarch coatings, which makes them easier to put on and prevents them from sticking together. Though this can improve convenience, the FDA has banned powdered gloves for surgery and patient examination purposes.
According to the FDA, the risks of powdered gloves in medical settings outweigh the benefits. The powder can cling to the wearer’s skin, causing irritation, inflammation or allergic reactions. It can also cause surgical complications involving peritoneal adhesions, which are a type of bond between a person’s organs. Though the ban does not yet extend to food service applications, loose cornstarch from powdered gloves may cause food contamination. In most instances, a non-powdered glove is a preferable choice.
You should also consider glove thickness. Thicker gloves provide a stronger protective barrier. They also better resist tears, allowing for a longer wear time. A heavy-duty, industrial-grade glove will offer more thickness than a lighter, thinner glove.
With that said, a thicker glove may dull touch sensitivity, which isn’t ideal in certain settings. If your application requires a high level of touch sensitivity, you might opt for thinner gloves made from a durable material, such as nitrile. When browsing glove options, look for thickness measurements in mils.
Certain situations call for a high level of tactile or touch sensitivity. For instance, a surgeon needs unimpaired touch sensitivity to perform surgery with the necessary precision and accuracy. Tactile-sensitive gloves made of a lightweight material will allow for precision levels similar to an ungloved hand. Sensitivity may also be necessary for a number of applications, including food preparation, electronic handling and pharmaceuticals.
You should also consider glove comfort and fit, including various size options. Depending on your application, your staff may need to wear gloves while performing complex tasks. They may also need to wear their gloves for extended periods. It’s vital to choose comfortable gloves — an uncomfortable glove may hinder someone’s ability to perform their necessary responsibilities.
Size options are an essential consideration. If a glove is too small, it may cause irritability or limit blood circulation to the wearer’s hand, making the fit distracting and uncomfortable. A too-small glove is more likely to tear, as well, compromising its protective barrier.
If a glove is too large, other concerns may arise. Loose space between the glove and the wearer’s skin may leave the wearer vulnerable to pathogens. A glove that’s too big is also likely to fall off, causing a significant contamination concern. When buying gloves, be sure to acquire several sizes, at least small, medium and large.
Tensile strength refers to a material’s resistance to breaking when stretched or pulled. Gloves with higher tensile strength ratings are more tear-resistant. Nitrile and latex are both materials with high tensile strength ratings — you can tug and pull on them quite a bit before they’ll start to tear. Since a tear would compromise a glove’s protection, tensile strength is essential. It’s an important measurement to acknowledge, especially for applications requiring hand dexterity.
Though you may not think twice about glove color, it can make a notable difference. You may choose to color code your gloves so staff can easily differentiate between various glove types. For instance, you might choose blue for latex gloves and black for non-latex gloves, so those with a latex allergy will have no trouble selecting the non-latex gloves. If you need both sterile and non-sterile gloves, color coding could again be useful.
Certain glove colors also make tears more apparent. If you wear a dark-colored glove on top of a light-colored glove, tears will be easy to identify. You can then change gloves as soon as possible after a tear, minimizing contamination risks.
You may wonder whether or not double-gloving offers more protection than wearing a single glove. According to a study conducted by the National Institute of Health (NIH), double-gloving is an effective way to protect the wearer from pathogens and other harmful substances. They found that while glove perforations were common, there were no instances of inner double-glove perforation. The NIH recommends double-gloving as a routine practice for operating rooms.
Standardizing double-gloving may help you promote your staff’s safety and wellbeing. Should you choose to do so, you may need to store greater quantities of gloves. It’s a good idea to order gloves in bulk amounts for this purpose.
The final factor you should consider is a glove’s shelf life. Buying disposable gloves in bulk will ensure you always have gloves available when needed — but it may also mean some gloves sit unused for extended periods. A glove’s shelf life depends most on its material. Nitrile gloves last longer than any other material. You should always check the manufacturer’s guidelines, but most nitrile gloves will last in their original packaging for several years.
In most cases, it’s easy to tell if a glove is compromised. A compromised glove may have surface cracks or feel brittle to the touch. Always wear gloves with normal tensile strength and durability, and keep careful track of how long your gloves have sat on the shelf.
Proper storage can help make gloves last longer. For short or long-term glove storage, you should keep gloves:
When deciding where to store your gloves, opt for a cool, dark environment. In most cases, a shelf in a secluded closet will do fine. Proper storage will help you extend your gloves’ shelf life, saving you time and money long-term and minimizing waste.
Choosing the right gloves for your application can make your environment safer, healthier and more productive. When shopping for new disposable gloves, consider several factors — the material, AQL, durability, comfort, dexterity, color and additional features. Each of these factors is significant. Once you’ve chosen the right gloves for you, be sure to purchase as many as you may need and follow best storage practices.
Your hands are the primary means by which you interact with your environment. They grab doorknobs daily, pick up trash, and hold the steering wheel. Because your hands touch and do so many things, protecting them in dangerous environments is vital.
Whether working with knives, stringing a barbed-wire fence, or navigating through the area of a chemical release, we need to be able to protect our hands. Otherwise, severe lacerations, infections, loss of movement, or even dangerous absorption of chemicals can result.
How does OSHA categorize gloves?
Leather, Canvas, or Metal Mesh Gloves
Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves
Chemical and Liquid-Resistant Gloves
Insulating Rubber Gloves
How do I know which glove to choose for the job?
How do I know what level of cut protection I need?
What are the best gloves for NBC threats?
Proper gloves are essential to disaster safety
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) classifies gloves under various categories in the US. For our purposes, we're sticking with their classification system as it's a good representation of the number and types of gloves available for work purposes.
OSHA glove categories:
Leather, canvas, or metal mesh gloves
Fabric and coated fabric gloves
Chemical and liquid-resistant gloves
Insulating rubber gloves
Let’s look at each in turn.
This gloves category is helpful for general work as a protection against abrasions, cuts, and scratches. They're not meant to be used for chemical contact work, as they don't offer significant protection against such substances.
These are typical work gloves that can be found in any garden shed or barn. While they offer decent protection against abrasions, they don't provide cut resistance. When using a blade of any kind, these won't provide an adequate level of safety.
However, they offer low-level protection against heat, and they can protect the hands when handling rough objects (e.g., masonry) and against sparks and other minor threats. They offer no protection against chemicals and will absorb liquids. For tasks that require a great degree of dexterity, these are a terrible choice. Fortunately, they are tear-resistant, meaning they have a long lifespan as gloves go.
These also protect against low-level heat and abrasions, but that's genuinely about it. These are commonly used in gardening.
While these gloves offer superior cut and puncture protection, they do not provide heat protection. Because metal conducts heat, attempting to pick up a very hot object with these gloves is likely to result in a burn.
Typically, both of these types of gloves are made of cotton, and they are not designed for heavy-duty use.
These simple, general-purpose gloves offer minor protection against abrasions, but that's about it. They are not suitable for any chemical work whatsoever. They are typically used for aesthetic purposes or to protect items from the dirt and oils on the wearers' hands.
The coated fabric is simply a cotton glove on which the palm and finger areas have been treated with a rubberized coating. This provides a better grip when dealing with slippery objects and some protection against chemical agents (provided they don't come in contact with the cotton back of the glove).
Chemical and Liquid-Resistant Gloves are the gloves category we're predominantly interested in here at MIRA Safety. We want to ensure that our customers are protected from biological and chemical threats, requiring chemical and liquid-resistant gloves. Anything less won't keep you as safe from these agents as you should be. As other articles pointed out, nerve agents can quickly soak through clothing and flow through gloves made of the same materials as clothing.
The same applies to bacteria and viruses, which are only a few microns in size. Wearing gloves with "holes" in the stitching that are larger than a few microns means there is no natural barrier between the skin and the infectious agent. It's akin to trying to stop mosquitoes with a chain-link fence.
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Proper protection in either regard requires chemical and liquid-resistant gloves. As this is the type of glove MIRA Safety is interested in, we're examining them in great detail.
So, what are the options? Let's take a look.
These are a good choice for general laboratory use or those working in a healthcare setting, where incidental chemical contact is likely. They offer good protection against bodily fluids and tissues and admirable protection against grease, organic solvents, chlorinated solvents, oils, and some acids and bases.
In addition, they can be used by those with a latex allergy (they're hypoallergenic), and they provide a good level of manual dexterity. When working with syringes, flasks, or other objects that require fine motor control, manual dexterity is a necessity.
One of the great things about nitrile gloves is that when exposed to chemicals, they have a longer lifespan than many other forms of disposable gloves. They won't deteriorate as quickly as some, and it's undeniable when they rip or tear. This allows the user to promptly address the problem and avoid a dangerous predicament.
All of these factors make nitrile gloves an excellent choice for various situations.
Nitrile gloves don't offer sufficient protection against chemicals. In particular, when working with acetates, aromatic solvents, halogenated solvents, ketones, or potent oxidizing agents... this type of glove should be avoided.
Neoprene is a fake rubber and is another good general-use glove. Much like nitrile gloves, neoprene gloves provide a superior level of manual dexterity, and rips or tears are very obvious.
These are a good choice for incidental chemical contact, and they function admirably when working around acids, bases, and peroxides.
Many mechanics like using these gloves because they protect against these types of chemicals (often found in automobiles). In addition, neoprene gloves typically have a longer lifespan against chemical agents than natural rubber, meaning they're cost-effective protection that won't break the bank.
When working directly with chemicals (e.g., immersing the hands/holding a wet sponge) or working around halogenated solvents, a different type of gloves should be used.
These gloves used to be prevalent in healthcare settings because of the protection and manual dexterity they provide. However, the prevalence of latex allergies has resulted in these becoming less common in medical settings.
While latex gloves provide incidental protection against bodily fluids, some acids, and some bases, detecting rips is difficult. This can result in accidental exposure to bloodborne pathogens or noxious chemical compounds. Benefits of latex gloves include abrasion resistance, elasticity, comfort, and protection against acids, alkalis, salts, and ketones.
Those allergic to latex or who might come in contact with someone who is (e.g., a surgeon operating on a patient with a latex allergy) and those working around organic solvents should avoid latex gloves.
For direct chemical contact, these synthetic rubber gloves are superb. They can be decontaminated and reused, resistant to punctures and rips, and protect against vapors, alcohols, aldehydes, gases, acids, bases, esters, nitro compounds, and ketones. They also offer a good deal of abrasion resistance and are resistant to oxidation.
Another benefit of these gloves is that they remain flexible in the cold. Many gloves stiffen when exposed to cold weather, hindering manual dexterity. In cold temperatures, this can make operating a weapon, programming a handheld radio, or picking a lock much more complicated than it would be otherwise.
A different type of glove should be used if you need a great deal of manual dexterity or will be working directly with gasoline or aliphatic/aromatic/halogenated hydrocarbons.
Often, when butyl rubber gloves can't be used, Viton gloves are used instead. Like butyl rubber, they are rip and puncture resistant but offer better dexterity and protection against aromatic/chlorinated hydrocarbons. They're also a good choice for direct chemical contact.
When working with ketones, choose a different type of glove as these will degrade rapidly.
These are akin to Viton gloves because they offer decent manual dexterity, are suitable for direct chemical contact, and have similar puncture/rip resistance. However, they look profoundly different. These are often the glove of choice for working around acids, amines, bases, fats, oils, and peroxides.
When working with organic solvents, polyvinyl chloride gloves will not offer adequate protection.
These gloves have many of the same properties as butyl rubber gloves and can also deal with extreme temperatures. Since these are often used in electrical work, they are tested by being soaked for 16 hours and then exposed to voltage. The degree to which they insulate against the electricity determines the grade they receive.
Everybody's hands are different, and with gloves, it's hard to find a one-size-fits-all solution. For superior protection, gloves must be a good fit for the individual's hand.
If the gloves are too small, dexterity is limited, the risk of tears is greater, and the protection is inadequate. When gloves are too large, any chance at average manual dexterity is minimal, the possibility of accidents is greater, and a loose cuff can allow biological agents, chemicals, or other undesirable substances (e.g., sharp straw while bailing hay) to find their way into the glove.
A perfectly sized glove is a necessity. How are gloves sized, though?
The process is simple, and the only tool needed is a simple cloth tape measure. Wrap the tape measure around the palm to measure the circumference of the hand.
<7" is Extra Small
7.5" is Small
8" is Medium
9" is Large
10" is Extra Large
>10.5" is Extra Extra Large
Once you have that information, you'll be able to choose a glove that fits appropriately.
There are several questions one should consider before choosing a glove. As noted above, the wrong glove for the job can easily (and quickly) lead to injury, so choosing the right glove is critical.
Here's what to consider.
Will you be handling blades? What about slippery objects, dangerous chemicals, or items that put you at risk of abrasions? Will you be working with dangerously hot or cold objects?
Knowing what you'll be working with is the first thing to consider before picking gloves.
Whether you're a surgeon working with bodily fluids or a chemist developing new pesticides, you need to know what you're dealing with. Not understanding the threat is risky because the protection you choose may need to be improved.
Had Madame Curie understood the dangers of radiation, she would not have carried radioactive minerals around in her pocket. She didn't understand the health consequences, though. You want to avoid making the same mistake, and understanding the health consequences of inadequate protection is vital to prevent such an outcome.
Some gloves protect against dangerous chemicals for a longer duration than others. If you are working in a lab setting where you anticipate having your hands immersed in chemicals for long periods, you need to know that your gloves can handle the threat.
To be as safe as possible, you need to know how long the gloves can be in contact with dangerous chemicals and still protect you. A chemical will eventually penetrate all gloves if the contact is long enough.
Do you need gloves that extend up the forearm, or is a simple glove that terminates at the wrist adequate for the task? Consider this to determine the appropriate glove length.
For cleaning gym equipment with Lysol all day, gloves that terminate at the wrist are likely sufficient. A longer glove is desirable if assisting with the difficult birth of a breech baby calf.
Manual dexterity is less critical for gross-motor tasks, such as stringing razor wire. In such situations, grace can be sacrificed for bulkier gloves that provide better protection against cuts, punctures, and abrasions.
However, hand protection is still necessary for filling test tubes via pipette, but a much greater level of manual dexterity is required. Attempting such a delicate task with bulky leather gloves would only result in potentially dangerous accidents.
Knowing the required level of manual dexterity is a must.
Some gloves are reusable, so you need to know how to decontaminate them if necessary. For example, if you're maneuvering through a war zone where chemical attacks occur regularly, you need to know how to decontaminate your gloves.
Many individuals are allergic to latex. While latex is a fantastic material for gloves, if it causes significant skin irritation, that's a problem. Knowing whether such an allergy is present will help you choose the best glove for the job.
If you'll be dealing with sharp surfaces and need gloves to protect against accidental cuts and punctures, be aware that gloves have graded levels of protection.
There are various standards for measuring the cut resistance of gloves (EN388/, ISO , etc.), but we will focus on ANSI/ISEA 105. This metric assigns a number grade to gloves to indicate what types of activities they're suitable for.
Gloves rated 1 or 2 are for low cut-risk activities, while those placed at level 5 are the most cut-resistant gloves available. Knowing the cut resistance rating is crucial when choosing gloves for a task involving sharp objects or blades.
Butyl rubber gloves are the best choice for NBC threats. As mentioned above, these gloves provide superior protection against a wide range of chemical agents, remain functional in cold weather, are reusable, and are also very strong.
These are all the traits that civilians need in the event of an NBC attack, as civilians will be on their own for an indeterminate time in the immediate aftermath of such an event. They won't know when things might return to "normal," nor are they likely to see whether they're moving through a contaminated area (e.g., a VX release).
Our NC-11 Butyl Gloves are specifically designed to protect against chemical agents, biological threats, and nuclear hazardous materials. It can be worn for upwards of 30 days without losing its protective properties while featuring extra cuffs to fit hazmat suits and uses a non-irritant construction. With a 15-year shelf life, this will more than last you for the next disaster.
For these reasons, butyl gloves provide the best protection against NBC threats. They're as tough as nails, last a very long time, and can be decontaminated—that's something virtually no other gloves can say.
The proper gloves are necessary whether you're looking for heavy-duty work gloves to prevent scrapes (and subsequent infections), avoid exposure to infectious bloodborne agents, or maneuver through a chemical weapons attack.
Working through any of these environments without proper gloves invites potentially catastrophic consequences. Half the battle is knowing which gloves to pick, and choosing the wrong gear for the job can be just as dangerous as choosing nothing. Imagine a hostage rescue team armed solely with shotguns, for example.
The same principle applies to gloves.
What are you preparing for? What risks do the tasks involve? Knowing the answers to these questions and the others outlined above will allow you to make the right choice to protect yourself and your family.
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