A: There are two basic categories of gloves: medical and non-medical. Medical grade gloves are required in work areas where there is any possibility of blood or bodily fluid contact. Non-medical grade gloves are used in any other work areas.

A: Differences in price and lack of consumer education lead to wide misuse of each type of glove. For example: a janitor using a medical grade glove not knowing that a less expensive, non-medical glove would provide him adequate protection at a substantial savings. On the other hand, a doctor may be using a non-medical glove, thinking he is fully protected.

A: It is rather easy to tell if a glove is medical grade by looking at the box. If the box reads “LATEX EXAMINATION GLOVES” or “LATEX EXAM GLOVES”, then it IS medical grade. If it only reads “LATEX GLOVES”, then it is NOT a medical grade. The word “EXAMINATION” or “EXAM” is the only difference. Some (but not all) non-medical grade gloves say “FOR NON-MEDICAL USE ONLY” or “GENERAL PURPOSE” on the box, but all medical grade gloves will say “EXAM” or “EXAMINATION”.

A: While making sales calls, you may find customers in the same industry using different types of gloves. Some may use latex and some may use synthetics. The word synthetic means “man made”. There are many types of synthetic gloves today but the two main types are vinyl and nitrile. Many companies now are calling vinyl gloves “synthetic” and on the box it may not say “vinyl” at all. Be aware that your customer’s “synthetic” glove may only be a vinyl. This is not really a misrepresentation as vinyl is a synthetic material. It is always good to use the word “synthetic” with customers instead of “vinyl” when you can because customers perceive the word “synthetic” to be better than “vinyl”.

A:

Preference	This one is easy because the two gloves feel much different while wearing them. Some people just like one better than the other. Nitrile is much closer to the latex "feel" than vinyl but still does not stretch like latex.
Protection	Latex provides better protection against viruses and bacteria. Vinyl and nitrile protect much better against chemicals but the protection against viruses and bacteria has not been shown to be as good. Nitrile does protect better than vinyl against viruses.
Price	Latex is usually cheaper. Vinyl pricing is very close to latex but nitrile and other synthetics are normally much higher.
Availability	Latex is more available than synthetics simply because it is in higher demand. The ratio is at least 10 to 1 even today with the increase in latex allergies.
Allergies	Some allergic reactions are brought on by the use of latex. This is explained in detail in section 4.

A: Powderfree gloves represent an increasing segment of the latex marketplace. Allergic reactions and unsightly powder on clothing are the two main reasons for a customer to switch to powderfree.

A: Latex and synthetic gloves are lightly powdered for ease of donning. This powder, which is actually only cornstarch, is blamed for many allergic reactions among latex glove users.

A: The actual causes for allergic reactions are the proteins in the latex and the chemicals used in compounding. Different latex gloves often can have very different levels of protein and formulations. This accounts for why some people might be allergic to one powdered glove and not another. Read more about Latex Allergies

A: Powderfree gloves are much higher in price than powdered gloves because most gloves are manufactured with powder and must then go through another process to remove the powder.

LATEX POWDERFREE

During the processes of making a powdered latex glove into a powderfree, the latex glove is “washed” of all its powder. This greatly lowers the protein and chemical content of the glove, thereby reducing the cause of allergies. This powderfree glove is also “cleaner” to use, eliminating worry of powder on clothing or other items.

A: There are two types of latex powderfree gloves: Chlorinated and non-chlorinated. The types are based on the process used to make the glove powderfree. During these processes the gloves properties are changed and each has advantages and disadvantages.

Chlorinated
Advantages	Easy to put on Particle free Most common - most people using a powderfree glove are using a chlorinated glove
Disadvantages	Color - this does not affect quality but some people think so Odor - some are worse than others Shelf life - have very short life (about 1yr) before they start to age and get brittle - heat shortens this shelf life considerably
Non-chlorinated/Poly-coated
Advantages	Color - very close to regular exam gloves No chlorine odor - smell just like regular exam gloves Shelf life - do not age like chlorinated gloves do
Disadvantages	Hard to put on - this is biggest disadvantage (we've solved it) Not particle free - in an effort make them easier to put on, some manufacturers add tiny gel or silicon particles to take the place of powder-unfortunately this does not work well (called Gel Coat gloves).

A: The major reason for a person to use a powderfree synthetic is to not get powder on clothing or other items. Many people that think they are allergic to the powder in latex gloves think they need to go to a synthetic powderfree glove when they switch to a synthetic. They are doing this for the wrong reasons but this product is gaining major popularity.