Not long ago, only doctors and dentists wore disposable gloves. But that has changed. Today, you'll find disposable gloves on the hands of auto mechanics, food handlers, technicians, janitors, and beauticians. You'll find them in the home and on the job site; in short, anywhere people are protecting both lives and property. As a long-term manufacturer of disposable gloves, UniSeal® is proud of its reputation for consistent quality and reliability.

History on Disposal Gloves

Since the Second World War, surgeons have used disposable examination gloves to protect themselves and their patients from infections and contamination. The ideal material for manufacturing protective gloves is latex. Why? Because latex resists tears, is highly elastic, and gives the wearer superb tactile sensitivity. With their outstanding barrier properties, latex gloves are excellent for protecting both healthcare workers and patients.

First discovered by the British in the 18th century, latex is now found in over 40,000 medical and household products. This material is derived from rubber trees that grow in tropical environments, most notably in Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. These trees are tapped for their milky sap, which is then purified, vulcanized, washed, leached, and processed. This Natural Rubber Latex (NRL) is then formed into gloves.

In the 1980's, the world came face-to-face with the devasting effects of the AIDS virus. Suddenly, there was widespread interest in minimizing exposure to this deadly disease. Governments and public agencies everywhere embarked on public campaigns, urging precautionary measures. Overnight, the protection glove business exploded, as latex examination gloves became the first line of defense against AIDS. This market was spurred on even more by new Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as companies began requiring their workers to wear latex gloves to protect against on-site toxins and to avoid workmen's compensation claims.

About the products' materials

Latex Gloves - Powdered & Powder-Free

There are many different types of latex gloves, from sterilized surgeon's gloves to multipurpose gloves, to the most widely used glove of all, the non-sterile examination glove. Many latex gloves are powdered inside, which makes the glove easier to slide onto the hands. The powder used in UniSeal® gloves is made from 100% U.S.P. absorbable cornstarch. Powder-free gloves are

similar to powdered gloves, except that they are washed in a chlorine solution. This process makes them easy to don, even without powder. Powder-free gloves are excellent for use in certain laboratories or other places where powder is a hazard to expensive equipment.

Synthetic Gloves - Vinyl

Since some people are becoming sensitized to natural rubber latex, the synthetic glove market is growing. Of the many different types of synthetic gloves, vinyl gloves are the least expensive. These gloves are made from polyvinyl chloride, a petroleum-based product. Although the looser fit of vinyl gloves does not match the tactile sensitivity of latex gloves, they are very comfortable and are more resilient to certain chemicals than latex. Vinyl gloves have many applications in the medical, industrial, and retail markets.

A Word About Latex Allergies

It is estimated that 1% of the U.S. population is allergic to latex. For people who are exposed to latex on a daily basis, such as healthcare workers, the figure is estimated to be 8%. The issue of allergic reactions to latex has intensified in recent years and has created fear and confusion among some end users.

While the studies are not yet conclusive, it seems that prolonged and continuous exposure to proteins in the latex causes allergic reactions in certain individuals. The typical latex glove manufacturing process reduces these naturally-occurring proteins but does not eliminate them completely. Recently, the disposable glove industry has developed "low-protein" latex gloves, from which most of the skin-irritating proteins have been removed. These gloves have become extrememly popular with sensitive glove wearers everywhere.

UniSeal® has developed a line of low-protein gloves, including the SureGrip® glove. All latex glove products from UniSeal® have a clearly visible caution statement on the package for sensitized individuals.

Latex allergy can be a serious health issue, and those sensitive to latex should use non-latex synthetic gloves.