If you’re involved in the glove industry, or find yourself purchasing a high quantity of disposable gloves, we’ve rounded up a list of terminology that can be helpful as you navigate the disposable glove world and purchasing the proper pair of gloves.
Accelerator Free: Most allergies to non-latex gloves are attributed to the accelerator chemicals used in manufacturing. Accelerator free gloves are approved as an allergen free option.
Beaded Cuff: This is a rolled cuff style found on disposable gloves.
Color Coded: Often times in work environments where there are multiple tasks being performed, each with different protection needs, many people will use a color-coding system, where certain colored gloves are meant to only be used for specific tasks.
Embossed: This is a type of texture treatment on the palm of a glove which allows for a firmer grip.
Flock-Lined: This refers to a particular type of interior glove lining that makes the gloves more comfortable to wear.
Food Grade/Food Service: Disposable gloves with this grade are approved to be used in the food service industry and in food preparation.
Lightly Powdered: Some gloves have powder in them. Lightly powdered gloves contain a lower level of powder.
Low Allergens: This refers to a lower level of latex proteins that are the cause of potential allergic reactions.
Low Proteins: Thanks to technology, some manufacturers are able to reduce the risk of allergic reactions by removing some of the latex proteins, making them less likely to cause allergic reactions.
Medical/Exam Grade: Gloves with this grade are cleared to be used in sterile environments like hospitals, medical offices, or laboratories.
Mil: Millimeters are used to measure the thickness of gloves, Mil is that abbreviation. 1 mil is equal to one thousandth of an inch: .001”.
Powdered: Gloves that have this treatment have cornstarch added to the interior of the glove, which helps absorb moisture. Powdered gloves also tend to be easier to put on.
Powder Free: If you opt for powder free gloves, they’ve gone through a chlorination process where they are treated with a chlorine solution, then rinsed and dried. They are a great alternative for people who have allergies caused by powdered gloves.
Tensile: This refers to the durability or strength of a glove. It is measured by how much the glove can be stretched before it rips or tears.
Textured: This is a particular finish on a disposable glove, which allows for an enhanced grip when handling wet objects.
USDA Approved: Gloves with this approval have been cleared by the U.S Department of Agriculture and are safe to be used in the food industry.
