Busting The Myths About Disposable Safety Gloves
by Philip Gulan on August 22, 2022
Disposable safety gloves are the most recognizable type of personal protective equipment when you see doctors, nurses, and janitors wearing these gloves.
Several industries worldwide use safety gloves to protect themselves from germs, pathogens, chemicals, and harmful substances. However, it’s not uncommon for people to hear plenty of myths about these gloves either.
Learning the truth about disposable glove performance is crucial in choosing the right type and using them appropriately. Here, we will debunk common myths surrounding disposable safety gloves. Keep reading as we clear the air around these misconceptions.
1. All Safety Gloves Are the Same
You can find various types of safety gloves in the market, including nitrile, vinyl, and other types of gloves. Many people think all disposable gloves are the same, so they can pick and choose the ones they like.
However, the fact of the matter is that protective gloves differ in material and quality.
Glove Material: Checking the glove material is essential as certain chemicals can negatively react with the skin to cause allergies.
Glove Quality: A glove's manufacturing process and quality directly relate to its durability.
2. More Texture Equals Better Grip
A common myth about disposable gloves is that textured varieties allow for a firm grip. The truth is that smooth-surfaced gloves offer a better grip than extremely textured ones.
Surface treatment helps determine the grip of protective gloves. For example, natural latex generally has a tacky and sticky texture. But, adequate processing, including surface chlorination and coating, can help improve the surface to provide a better grip.
3. Disposable Gloves Provide Protection throughout Use
It is a common misconception that you are 100% safe from potential biological and chemical risks if you wear disposable gloves. Many people also believe that they remain protected as long as they wear these gloves.
Disposable safety gloves tend to degrade and wear out with time, which make them susceptible to rips and tears. In fact, the defect rate increases between 9 and 35 percent, only 10 to 12 minutes after stimulated use.
Therefore, disposable gloves are not 100% safe, and their protective level decreases over time. For that reason, you need to consider how long you’ll wear it and its defect rate before choosing one.
4. Expensive Protective Gloves Provide Better Protection
When buying disposable gloves, many people make the mistake of buying the most expensive ones. Usually, this purchase comes from a general misconception that expensive products offer better quality.
Similarly, cheaper gloves will not necessarily save you money. You might need to wear new gloves often if your affordable glove has a significantly greater defect rate.
Choosing disposable gloves entirely depends on the manufacturing process, the material used, and your purpose of use. So, looking at the price alone is not a good idea.
