Should I wear a powdered or a powder-free glove?
Is latex better than vinyl?
Who is allergic to latex?
What is an examination glove?
What is a multipurpose glove?
What other quality standards do UniSeal® gloves meet?

Should I wear a powdered or a powder-free glove?

The choice of a powdered or powder-free glove is dictated by the personal preference of the wearer and the environment where he or she works.

Powdered gloves are extremely popular, accounting for nearly 70% of the total glove market. Powder makes the gloves easier to place on the hands, and they are generally less expensive than powder-free gloves.

The demand for powder-free gloves is growing every year due to a perceived difference in quality and a general preference for a low-protein product. These gloves are washed in a chlorine solution, which makes them easy to don and lowers their latex protein levels, which reduces the likelihood of latex sensitivity. Powder-free gloves are also better for use in specific environments, such as electronic assembly plants, laboratories, crime labs, and emergency medical services.

Is latex better than vinyl?

While latex and vinyl provide excellent barrier protection, latex is recognized as having superior barrier qualities. Also, latex has better fit and form, which makes it ideal for certain job functions where grip and tactile sensitivity are required. Vinyl gloves were developed as an alternative to latex, and they are an excellent choice for latex-sensitive users.

Who is allergic to latex?

Anyone can be allergic to natural rubber just like they can be allergic to milk, eggs, or shellfish. The vast majority of people never become sensitized at all, but for those who do, the only way to avoid a reaction is to avoid latex completely.

What is an examination glove?

Examination gloves, or "exam gloves", are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and are considered a Class 1 medical device. Exam gloves must meet a series of quality standards, the most important of which is the Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) standard. This standard is used around the world for defining the number of defects per million pieces. Defects are normally pinholes or visual blemishes. The U.S. requirement is 4.0 AQL, or no more than 4 defective gloves per 100 pieces. However, UniSeal® exam gloves must meet a more rigid standard of 1.5 AQL.

What is a multipurpose glove?

Multipurpose gloves are also known as "industrial gloves" or "non-medical gloves". These gloves started out as medical gloves, but failed to meet one of many quality standards. The FDA does not regulate multipurpose gloves, and there are no restrictions on their AQL.

What makes UniSeal® mulitpurpose gloves superior to the competition is that they are not failed products. They are produced under medical-grade standards, without being subjected to numerous and expensive quality tests. The result is a higher-grade product than regular industrial-grade gloves. Most multipurpose gloves have AQLs as high as 10%. The UniSeal® multipurpose glove is around 5%.

What other quality standards do UniSeal® gloves meet?

UniSeal® medical-grade gloves meet a number of internationally recognized standards. The UniSeal® SureGrip® and Vinyl exam gloves, for example, have an ISO 9002 certification. This means that their manufacturing practices meet the standards established by the Internationl Organization for Standardization, a worldwide federation of national standards bodies from 130 countries. UniSeal® latex gloves are also approved by the American Dental Association. And all UniSeal® gloves meet or surpass the rigid standards set for the glove industry by the American Standards and Testing Methods, and the Federal Drug Administration.