SubscribeWhen it comes to choosing the right glove material that offers the best levels of fit, security and protection, how do you select which one is the best for you?
At Sempermed we believe that the new Sempermed CRX Chloroprene glove offers the best comfort to the wearer, without compromising protection.
Nowadays, it would seem inconceivable to work in a laboratory or pharmaceutical environment without hand protection, whether to protect the wearer or the product. But with so many types of disposable gloves available already in latex, nitrile and vinyl, why switch to Chloroprene? To answer this, let’s look at the alternatives.
Natural rubber latex (NRL) gloves – the standard in disposable hand protection
Gloves made from natural rubber latex are used in many areas of industry because of their positive characteristics that give optimal wearer comfort. Due to its excellent elasticity (even at an elongation rate of more than 800% the glove comes back to its original shape without tearing) latex gloves fit like a second skin and thus guarantee maximum flexibility of fingers and sure grip while working.
These excellent “fit & feel” characteristics ensured that natural latex became the most common material for disposable gloves. With the development of high quality powder-free latex gloves and production on an industrial scale by quality producers, the use of these gloves grew even faster.
However, there is one drawback to wearing NRL gloves. Rubber latex is a natural organic material, which is gathered from rubber trees and contains rubber proteins, which may lead to dermatitis or allergic reactions and eventually, sensitisation. The threat of sensitisation can never be entirely removed, even with the best quality powder-free NRL gloves, specially treated during the production process to have a reduced protein content.
There are four ways that a person can become sensitised to latex, but only two are directly linked to the wearing of
NRL disposable gloves. Below you can find a definition of irritations and allergies caused from natural latex.
Latex allergy – a sensitive word for medical experts
The cause of latex allergies stems from proteins, although this is not exclusive to latex proteins. Evidence shows that cross reaction between latex and exotic fruits, such as pineapples, avocados, bananas, kiwis, mangos and melons in particular, but also sweet chestnuts and peaches is common. Latex allergy is however not an entirely new subject. In the 1930s, papers were produced on “rubber allergy” for the first time.
However, a differentiation must be made as the term “allergy” is not synonymous with hand excema. In general, a distinction is made between allergic and pseudo-allergic reactions.
Allergic reactions
Over-sensitive reactions can be divided into 4 types, but only types I and IV are relevant for glove allergies.
Type I allergies
These types of allergies are caused by special human antibodies, the immunity globulines E (IgE) and histamine. Instant allergies show up from 10 to 30 minutes after allergen contact in the form of contact urticaria on finger joints, thumbs and wrists. Severe anaphylactic reactions may also occur. This can lead to life-threatening situations. Type I allergies are caused by the proteins contained in latex. Corn starch powder (which is also used in production) removed from the glove showed contamination with allergens of NRL (Natural Rubber Latex) which cannot be found in the powder itself.
It is therefore assumed that powder is the transport medium for latex proteins. The dust-like powder is released into the environment when gloves are donned or taken off. This contamination of air in working areas could explain why highly sensitive people develop symptoms, such as, a running nose and breathing problems, even if they had no direct contact with latex materials.
Type IV allergies
In this case the first symptoms appear approx. 6–8 hours after contact with an allergen, which can increase up to 4 days after removal of the allergen. It appears as allergic contact excema with papules, blisters, discharge and itching in typical localisation. The main cause are additives used in the modern manufacturing processes for medical gloves, such as accelerators and antioxidants.
These additives are used to optimise the product but are also the most frequent cause of latex glove allergies. Thiurames, one of the accelerators being used in the past by several glove manufacturers, was the main cause for between 50 to 80% of all allergic contact excema cases. Thiurames are not used in any gloves produced by Sempermed.
Pseudo-allergic reactions
Pseudo allergic reactions against latex gloves – with negative allergic findings – can imitate the clinical picture of an allergic type IV contact excema or a type I contact urticaria. Pre-disposing factors in particular have an adverse effect on the physiological skin protection barriers, through frequent work in damp conditions and the use of skin-damaging substances. 30–60% of all people who are allergic to gloves show skin damage relating to an atopic excema (Neuro dermatitis), or an allergic contact excema prior to first exposure. In general, when using latex gloves regularly, latex glove allergies can occur at intervals of between one month and up to15 years after the first contact.
Suggested Solutions
The following factors contribute to the development of pseudo allergic reactions and skin irritations:
- Intensive scrubbing of the hands and the use of disinfectants
- Insufficient drying of hands after cleansing
- Tendency of developing allergic illnesses
- Swelling up of skin through:
- Excessive sweating of hands
- Insufficient drying of hands
- Occlusion effect caused by gloves
- Mechanical effects caused by powder
Avoid or reduce any/all of the above. Furthermore, intensive care of the skin with appropriate skin-care products is advisable. For allergic reactions, avoidance of the allergen is the most effective alternative. However as this is almost impossible, the use of latex gloves with a low allergen content (low concentration of latex proteins) for all activities is recommended. The European norm for protective gloves (EN420) requires every producer of latex gloves to monitor the protein content. This information is given on request from every quality producer.
Latex free gloves made from synthetic materials – the common alternatives
One alternative for avoiding allergic reactions is offered by “latex-free gloves”. These gloves are made from synthetic polymer rubber or monomers (e.g. PVC). However, common synthetic gloves often do not have the characteristics of natural latex gloves, such as excellent elasticity, which ensures a comfortable fit.
Vinyl (PVC) gloves – the cheap alternative to natural latex
Vinyl disposable gloves are far less elastic than latex gloves and therefore do not fit that well on the hand, which results in reduced comfort and sensitivity. The physical properties of the material also do not meet the same level as natural latex gloves, offering little or no resistance to chemical hazards.
The real advantage of vinyl is that it is extremely skin friendly, because it contains no latex proteins and is free of acceleration agents and antioxidants.
Nitrile rubber (NBR) – the standard alternative to natural latex
Nitrile gloves have been established as the main alternative to natural latex, especially when it comes to chemical protection. Nitrile is a synthetical clone of the natural structure of latex.
As a material, nitrile is mechanically very strong and gives good protection against a broad range of chemicals, but its characteristics in terms of elasticity cannot match natural rubber latex. As a result, it is not as comfortable to wear as latex, producing increased muscle fatigue in the hand when worn for long periods.
Chloroprene rubber gloves – the new generation of hand protection
Chloroprene is a synthetic material that imitates the memory of natural latex, ensuring a close and comfortable fit. For the user it feels like natural latex, but is completely free of latex proteins, removing the potential for sensitisation to occur.
It also offers the wearer comparable chemical resistance to nitrile disposable gloves, protecting against alcohol, bases and acids.
With SEMPERGUARD CRX, Sempermed Industrial introduces a new generation of hand protection for the laboratory and pharmaceutical field. The CRX is made from chloroprene, a synthetic rubber that offers the wearer a number of significant benefits and advantages over existing nitrile and latex products.
Chloroprene imitates the memory of latex much more closely than nitrile, giving far better fit and comfort, but is completely free of latex proteins, making it particularly skin friendly. It also offers the wearer excellent sensitivity and secure grip, even when handling wet objects. The extra long 300mm length CRX gives protection to the forearm and is also free from silicone, thus preventing contamination of the working area.
When it comes to working with acids, bases and alcohol, the SEMPERGUARDCRX gives outstanding splash protection to the wearer, and is approved as a category III product to EN 374 part 2 & 3.
The SEMPERGUARDCRX comes packed by 50 pieces in a PE foil bag inside a dispenser box to ensure cleanliness and the conservation of the glove.
With its special inner coating, donning the gloves is easy and the textured surface of SEMPERGUARD CRX gives sure grip in dry and wet conditions.
With SEMPERGUARD CRX - chloroprene disposable gloves – we believe we have created the perfect hand protection solution for pharmaceutical, life sciences and laboratory applications.
For detailed information and free samples please contact us:
Head Office:
Semperit Technische Produkte GmbH
Gesellschaft m.b.H. & Co KG
Modecenterstrasse 22
A-1031 Wien
Österreich
Tel: +43-1-79-777-520
Fax: +43-1-79-777-630
E-mail: sempermed@semperit.at
Germany:
Semperit Technische Produkte GmbH
Mullenstrasse 25
D-58285
Gevelsburg
Deutschland
Tel: +49-2332-70-09-13
Fax: +49-2332-70-09-22
E-mail: verkauf@semperit.de
France:
Semperit France S.A.R.L.
BP 9005
F-95812
Argenteuil Cedex
France
Tel: +33-1-30 25 87 25
Fax: +33-1-34 11 32 11
E-mail: semperit.ventes@semperit.fr
UK:
Semperit Industrial Products Ltd.
Unit B6
Worton Drive
Reading
England
RG2 0TG
Tel: +44-1189-868944
Fax: +44-1189-873842
E-mail: sales@semperit.co.uk