Reusable nitrile gloves have established themselves as an alternative to latex. In fact, more and more sectors are using them for their high protection and lightness, without compromising hand mobility. But what is the useful life of this medium? This is a primary issue for the chemical industry and one that is raised in this analysis.

Importance of nitrile gloves in the chemical industry

The chemical industry is exposed to a growing risk, and that is the handling of harmful compounds. Precisely, it is becoming more and more evident due to innovation, which designs new additives and formulations. It is important to be prepared through means that provide protection beyond conventional products.

There is one hazard that is closely linked to certain processes, and that is splashing. The creation of solutions and the alteration of fluids must be done under stable conditions. But sometimes droplets may be released and reach the skin and, in the worst case, the eyes.

From the above, it is possible to deduce certain consequences, such as second and third degree burns. Workers may suffer allergic reactions if they do not have adequate hand coverage. For this purpose, nitrile provides a fundamental layer that prevents direct contact, but must be maintained in suitable conditions.

The same applies to spontaneous combustion or exposure to environments with high concentrations of processed particulate matter. For this purpose, the hands must be protected with a cuff fastener, which must be part of the gloves.

Issues affecting nitrile life time

The quality of the nitrile determines how resistant a glove is. There are occasions in which it constitutes its only covering piece in processes that require a high manual action. Sometimes it even tends to be the only component that prevents burns, as it is in close contact with fluids that cause burns.

One of the priority factors in this line is the use of gloves with chemical protection. Pouring oils and oxides is not as technically demanding as working with acids. In the latter case, it is advisable to exercise caution and avoid excessive reuse.

On the other hand, the inner layers are also essential. One of the chemical protection measures taken into account by Ansell is the incorporation of cotton linings. This gives the worker greater stability and hand comfort, while the gloves are thicker and last longer.

ISO 374-5: 2016 regulates the technical conditions that nitrile gloves must have. It is possible to reuse it while maintaining proper care, hygiene and maintenance practices.

These are the most appropriate guidelines in this regard:

• Wash them with cold water and let them dry away from heat sources.
• Prevent elastic grips from overextending.

Quality, a determining factor in its durability

Ansell chooses quality gloves as an essential part of personal protective equipment against chemicals. The key is to avoid seams and to manufacture it in a single piece of this material. Consequently, the possibilities of tearing and predisposition to chemical corrosion are minimized.

The cyanide content must be kept in proper balance. It is recommended that it be directly proportional to its density to avoid a composition that could be harmful to the hands. Along these lines, chemical protective clothing must have the same performance.

There is one extremely important factor in the composition of the gloves, and that is the thickness of the layers. Inadequate thickness would compromise the mobility of the hands and predispose them to injury.

Within the chemical industry, another exception that extends the service life of gloves is worth mentioning. When processes requiring complete sterilization are carried out, they must conform to ISO 16604: 2004. In this way, they are kept free of viruses and other pathogens, so they tend to resist longer.

In short, the service life of reusable nitrile gloves is adapted to the needs of today's industry. It constitutes a safety proposal for the chemical industry business, always taking into account its obvious risks. The key is to reinforce hand protection to minimize damage that could interrupt the production chain.