Why order your Latex Exam Gloves from LabSource?

Fast shipment and bulk pricing on our selection of industry-specific latex gloves and get the best customer experience.

Expert Product Recommendations: We’ve been providing gloves designed for the health and medical sectors, law enforcement and correctional facilities, sanitation, laboratories, and manufacturing plants for over 40 years. By actively listening to your feedback about end-user experiences and staying informed about industry regulations and standards, we ensure our product recommendations are precisely suited to your organization's needs.

Quality Product at Lower Cost: We provide bulk contract pricing to ensure you access high-quality products at affordable rates. We carefully select our logistics partners to minimize shipping costs and guarantee that your orders arrive quickly and are able to offer free shipping on orders over $149.

Fast Shipping & Large Inventory: Our advanced warehouse management system ensures you receive the freshest PPE supplies with the longest expiry dates. This reduces your lead time and helps maintain the continuity of your operations without interruptions.

What products or chemicals can affect the permeability of Latex Gloves?

Certain chemicals can significantly affect the permeability of latex gloves, making them less effective as protective barriers:

• Oils and Fats: Hydrophobic substances, such as oils and fats, can degrade latex by causing the material to swell and weaken. This is particularly relevant in settings like food service and automotive work, where exposure to oils is common.
• Organic Solvents: Chemicals like benzene, toluene, xylene, and other aromatic hydrocarbons found in some industrial solvents can rapidly deteriorate latex, leading to breaks and tears. These are commonly used in laboratories, manufacturing, and painting industries.
• Aldehydes: Formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde, used for disinfection and sterilization in medical and laboratory settings, can also degrade latex gloves.
• Ketones: Compounds like acetone, which are found in nail polish remover and various industrial solvents, can also break down latex.
• Acids and Bases: Strong acids and bases can cause latex to deteriorate, though the effect can vary depending on the concentration and type of chemical.

Order best value exam grade latex gloves

Latex Glove Powder

The powder in some latex gloves is designed to make them easier to put on and remove. However, many medical facilities and other industries requiring strict hygiene have shifted towards using powder-free latex gloves to reduce the risks associated with powdered gloves:

• Allergic Reactions: Powder in latex gloves can contribute to allergic reactions. The powder can absorb latex proteins and when gloves are donned or removed, the powder can become airborne and be inhaled, or come into contact with the skin. This can lead to respiratory issues and exacerbate skin allergies in those sensitive to latex.
• Contamination Risks: In sterile environments, such as operating rooms or cleanrooms, the powder from gloves can contaminate the workspace. It can adhere to surfaces and equipment, potentially affecting the sterility of the environment and impacting sensitive processes.
• Impaired Healing: In healthcare, particularly in surgeries, powder particles from gloves can enter wounds and impair the healing process. This can lead to granulomas (inflammatory reactions) and other complications in post-operative recovery.

What size latex gloves do I need?

It’s essential to choose gloves that fit well to maintain dexterity and comfort. Our customer service team is here to help you select the right size, ensuring your gloves are neither too tight nor too loose.

Latex Gloves or Nitrile Gloves?

Choosing between nitrile gloves and latex gloves often comes down to balancing the need for allergy safety, user dexterity, cost, and biodegradable PPE.

Latex gloves are particularly favored where fine motor skills and a high degree of touch sensitivity are required, making them ideal for surgical procedures, precise laboratory tasks, and any application where the feel is crucial.

Latex Allergenic Potential

Latex gloves can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, ranging from mild skin irritation to severe anaphylactic reactions due to proteins found in natural rubber latex.

Nitrile gloves are synthetic and do not contain latex proteins, making them a good alternative for those with latex allergies.

Tactile Sensitivity and Comfort

One of the main reasons organizations choose latex gloves is their superior comfort and fit. Latex offers a high degree of flexibility and conforms closely to the hand, providing a second-skin feel that enhances tactile sensitivity and dexterity. This is particularly important in medical settings, dental offices, or laboratories where precision and fine manual tasks are performed.

Although nitrile gloves have significantly improved in flexibility and comfort over the years, they generally do not match the elasticity and fit of latex gloves. However, they are still a good choice for durability and protection.

Lower-cost

Latex gloves are generally less expensive to manufacture than nitrile gloves because latex is a natural material derived from rubber trees, and the production process is well-established and scaled globally.

Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber, which involves a more complex manufacturing process. The raw materials for nitrile gloves are petroleum-based, making their cost sensitive to oil prices. Additionally, the production requires more advanced technology and chemical processes.

Biodegradable

Latex gloves are made of natural material and are biodegradable. This can be an attractive feature for organizations aiming to reduce their environmental impact.

Nitrile gloves, on the other hand are made from synthetic rubber, which is not biodegradable.

Contact our customer care team or read our glove selection guide for more information on glove materials, grades, and thickness definitions to find the barrier protection that is right for your applications.