Nitrile glove are a popular choice in many industries including healthcare, food service, food processing and automotive - but why? What makes Nitrile gloves a superior choice to other materials like vinyl or latex? Let's explore and identify all the reasons nitrile disposable gloves are a great choice across so many industries.

The History of Nitrile Gloves

Nitrile gloves have become a popular choice for gloves in many industries due to their durability, chemical resistance, and comfort, but where did they come from? How long have they been around?

In the early 1900s, the B.F. Goodrich Company was known for producing rubber products, including tires and hoses. However, during World War II, the company was tasked with producing synthetic rubber for military use. It was during this time that chemists at the company discovered a way to make nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), which is resistant to oils, solvents, and other chemicals.

In the 1960s, nitrile rubber began to be mixed with other materials to produce gloves for the healthcare industry. These gloves were primarily used as an alternative to latex gloves, these gloves quickly gained popularity due to their chemical resistance, strength, and durability.

Nitrile gloves as we know them today started being produced in the 1980s by Neil Tillotson and Luc DeBecker. Their corporation Tillotson Corp. was granted a patent for them in 1991 after they produced the first disposable glove made entirely of nitrile butadiene rubber.

Nitrile gloves were at first heralded as a solution to a growing minority of people who have developed allergies to the latex proteins that accompany latex gloves. But the truth is, nitrile gloves are not suitable replacements for the latex glove in all situations - the surgical operating room for example still primarily uses sterile latex gloves. However, nitrile gloves are ideal for environments where resistance to hydrocarbons is critical. They're perfect for non-surgical medical exams and procedures, food service, automotive and industrial use.

Nitrile gloves for Automotive

Automobile mechanics have been discovering the advantages of wearing nitrile gloves. For years, disposable gloves were considered useless by the automotive industry, because latex simply dissolved when it made contact with grease, oil, diesel fuel or gasoline. Mechanics can use nitrile gloves to safely for many daily tasks including changing oil, replacing brake pads, and handling battery acid.

Now, a sparkling clean maintenance facility is an indication that a repair shop might be trusted to have the correct digital diagnostic equipment. Being clean means making money and this tends to change the heart of even the most hardened grease monkey. All of a sudden, we see our nitrile gloves being sold in ever-increasing quantities to automotive manufacturers and service centers everywhere. Nitrile gloves are able to withstand the high temperatures under the hood and they are very resistant to almost all of the chemicals in an automobile's system.

Nitrile gloves for medical use

Nitrile gloves have become an essential part of the medical industry. There are some applications where nitrile gloves are the only gloves that make sense. Dentists prefer nitrile gloves because of the reduced possibility of allergic reactions for their patients. Nitrile gloves are widely used in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities for a variety of purposes. Since nitrile gloves are resistant to punctures, tears, and chemicals they make an ideal choice for medical professionals who need to protect themselves from infections and other hazards.

The use of nitrile gloves in the medical industry has several advantages. Firstly, nitrile exam gloves offer excellent protection against infections. Nitrile gloves are designed to be highly resistant to punctures and tears, which means that they can provide a barrier between medical professionals and infectious agents. They are also effective in preventing the spread of infections from one patient to another. Nitrile exam gloves are latex-free. Latex gloves can cause allergic reactions in some people so this makes nitrile a safer option for medical professionals who have allergies or sensitivities to latex. It also protects the patients they see who could be allergic to latex.

Nitrile gloves for food service

Nitrile gloves have become increasingly popular in the food service industry. Food service workers rely on gloves to protect themselves and their customers from contamination and the spread of foodborne illnesses. In fact some states have gone so far as to ban latex gloves for food service and food manufacturing use. You can read more about that here.

While latex gloves were previously the go-to choice for food service workers, nitrile gloves have quickly gained popularity due to being more allergy-friendly, durable and versatile. Nitrile gloves provide better chemical resistance to most common chemicals than latex gloves. This is important when working with cleaning chemicals and other substances that may be harmful to skin. Nitrile gloves are also resistant to oils and fats, making them ideal for food service workers who handle greasy foods and raw meats.

Nitrile gloves for cleaning

In the cleaning and sanitation industry, personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial for maintaining safety and hygiene. Nitrile gloves have become a popular choice for many professionals due to their durability, flexibility, and chemical resistance.

Nitrile gloves provide a high level of protection against cuts, scrapes, and other injuries that may occur while handling cleaning chemicals or sharp objects. The gloves are also highly resistant to many chemicals, including cleaning agents, solvents, and disinfectants. This means that they provide excellent protection against harmful chemicals, reducing the risk of skin irritation, allergies, and other adverse reactions. If you're going to be using specific chemicals we always recommend checking our chemical resistance chart.

Shop Disposable Nitrile Gloves

Disposable nitrile gloves are an excellent choice for individuals who require hand protection in a variety of industries. They provide a high level of protection, are durable and long-lasting, and are an ideal choice for those with latex allergies. If you work in an industry that requires hand protection, consider using disposable nitrile gloves to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

Shop our collection of industrial nitrile gloves and medical nitrile exam gloves to find the right fit for your business.