Nitrile gloves are synthetic personal protective equipment widely used in healthcare, laboratory, and industrial environments. Developed as a vital alternative for individuals with latex allergies, nitrile gloves are preferred in various sectors due to their material characteristics and strong chemical resistance.

Historical Background

Emergence of Latex Gloves (Late 19th – Early 20th Century)

The use of protective gloves dates back to the late 19th century. The first surgical gloves were developed in 1890 at Johns Hopkins Hospital by Dr. William Halsted to prevent dermatitis on the hands of surgical nurse Caroline Hampton. Made from natural rubber, these gloves revolutionized infection control and sterile procedures.¹

Development of Nitrile Gloves (1980s–1990s)

Although nitrile was first developed in Germany in the 1930s for chemical industry use, it was not until the late 1980s and early 1990s that it began to be used in glove manufacturing. At that time, U.S.-based companies such as Kimberly-Clark and Ansell produced the first powder-free nitrile examination gloves for laboratory and medical use.

Nitrile gloves quickly became standardized medical devices, receiving FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) approval, especially for users sensitive to latex. Their durability, puncture resistance, and chemical barrier properties led to widespread adoption in industrial fields as well.

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Material Composition and Properties

Nitrile gloves are made from nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), a copolymer produced through the polymerization of three main components:

• Acrylonitrile (ACN): Provides chemical resistance and impermeability.
• Butadiene: Contributes elasticity and flexibility.
• Styrene (in some variants): Added to enhance mechanical strength.

As NBR does not contain natural latex, it does not trigger allergic reactions caused by latex proteins and is classified as hypoallergenic.

Production Process

The production of nitrile gloves typically includes the following steps:

1. Mold Cleaning and Drying: Ceramic or metal hand molds are washed and dried.
2. Coagulant Bath: Molds are dipped into a coagulant solution (usually calcium nitrate) to help the rubber adhere.
3. Nitrile Dipping: Molds are immersed in liquid nitrile latex.
4. Vulcanization (Curing): Gloves are baked at high temperatures to solidify their shape.
5. Leaching (Washing): Various washing stages remove allergens and contaminants.
6. Drying and Powdering (optional): Final moisture is removed; some gloves are powdered internally (though powder-free versions are more common in medical settings).
7. Stripping and Quality Control: Gloves are removed from the molds, tested, and packaged.

Areas of Use

Nitrile gloves are used across a wide range of sectors as personal protective equipment:

• Healthcare: Extensively used in surgical procedures and routine examinations to ensure hygiene and prevent infection.
• Laboratories: Provide chemical barrier protection for the hands.
• Food Industry: Used by workers in direct contact with food in compliance with HACCP standards.
• Automotive and Industrial Fields: Ideal for working with oils and solvents, preventing skin contact with hazardous chemicals.
• Cleaning and Household Use: Provide protection against detergents and disinfectants.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

Nitrile gloves pose environmental concerns due to their slow biodegradability. In response, some manufacturers have developed biodegradable nitrile gloves. Additionally, waste gloves can contribute to energy recovery when incinerated as part of waste-to-energy systems.