Protective Gloves Against Ionizing Radiation and Radioactive Contamination

Ionizing radiation is a type of radiation that can remove electrons from atoms through electromagnetic waves or particles with sufficient energy. Due to this property, it can cause irreversible structural damage in biological tissues, particularly within cellular structures. Breaks in DNA can initiate processes leading to cell death, mutations, and potentially cancer over the long term. Factors such as the amount, duration, and type of exposure directly affect health risks for personnel working with radiation, while radioactive contamination occurs when these substances come into direct contact with skin, clothing, or equipment and may lead to uncontrolled spread of radiation through contamination.

The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has become mandatory to mitigate such risks. Protective gloves serve as a critical barrier against external contamination resulting from hand contact. When selecting gloves, the type of radiation (alpha, beta, gamma), risk of contamination, duration of contact, and nature of the task must be considered. Gloves are typically made from lead-doped, high-density polymer-based or multilayer composite materials. However, the gloves must also be resistant to punctures, abrasion, and chemicals to ensure effective protection against both radiation and secondary risks. Proper use, regular inspection, and safe disposal of contaminated equipment are vital for reducing radiation exposure among personnel.

Standards and Technical Requirements

Protective gloves against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination must be manufactured in accordance with specific international standards. These standards aim to ensure effective protection and guarantee user safety.

TS EN 421 Standard

The production of protective gloves against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination is subject to international standards that not only provide physical protection but also require compliance with specific technical requirements. These standards document product reliability and serve as a fundamental reference point for occupational health. The level of compliance of gloves used to reduce radiation exposure directly affects employers’ obligations and the degree of worker protection. The TS EN 421 Standard defines the essential characteristics that gloves must possess to provide protection against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination. According to this standard:

• Lead Equivalence (Pb): This indicates the extent to which the glove can absorb radiation. For protection against beta and gamma radiation, gloves must contain a specified amount of shielding material corresponding to a defined lead equivalence. This value varies depending on the intended use and must be clearly stated on the product.
• Liquid Impermeability: Gloves must be liquid-impermeable to prevent contact between radioactive liquids and the skin. This feature is critical in preventing the absorption of radionuclides through the skin.
• Penetration Test (EN 374): The TS EN 421 standard requires gloves to successfully pass the liquid and gas penetration tests defined in EN 374. This test evaluates glove integrity by detecting the presence of microscopic pores or damage.
• Ozone Resistance: Gloves must not exhibit structural degradation when exposed to ozone gas. Resistance to ozone cracking enhances the long-term durability and reliability of gloves in exposed environments.

Gloves meeting these criteria typically carry the CE mark, certifying their compliance with regulations applicable within the European Economic Area. In addition to this mark on the product, the protection class of the gloves must be clearly indicated in user instructions and packaging information. This enables users to understand the level of protection offered and perform appropriate risk assessments.

Other Relevant Standards

To enhance the effectiveness of protective gloves against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination and ensure safe use in diverse risk environments, various international standards are evaluated together. In this context, not only TS EN 421 but also other standards providing protection against different physical and chemical hazards are of critical importance:

• EN 374: This standard defines test methods and performance requirements for protective gloves against chemical substances and microorganisms. Since many radioactive substances are in liquid form, gloves with chemical resistance provide an additional layer of safety against radioactive contamination.
• EN 388: This standard evaluates gloves’ resistance to mechanical hazards (abrasion, cut, tear, and puncture). It is crucial for maintaining physical integrity, especially in environments where contact with sharp objects is a risk. Compliance with EN 388 ensures that gloves retain their functionality under such conditions.
• EN 420: This is the fundamental standard covering general requirements and test methods for protective gloves. It addresses aspects such as glove size, comfort of use, absence of harmful substances, and labeling criteria. EN 420 serves as the baseline reference alongside all other specific standards.

The combined application of these standards enables protective gloves to provide multifunctional protection not only against radiation but also against chemical, biological, and mechanical risks. Employers’ selection of gloves compliant with these standards, based on the risk profile of the work environment, is a decisive factor in enhancing occupational health and safety policies.

Applications

Protective gloves against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination are used across a wide range of sectors and application areas where there is a risk of direct or indirect exposure to radiation. These gloves are designed not only to protect against radiation itself but also to prevent radioactive substances from entering the body through skin contact.

• Nuclear Power Plants: Gloves are a fundamental piece of protective equipment for personnel performing operations with high exposure risks, such as reactor maintenance, fuel rod replacement, system inspections, and radioactive waste management, by preventing contact with contaminated surfaces.
• Healthcare Sector: Healthcare workers in departments such as radiology, nuclear medicine, and radiotherapy are exposed to contamination risks during the preparation, administration, and disposal of radioactive isotopes. Gloves used in these applications must be both liquid-impermeable and thin enough to allow the precision required in medical procedures.
• Industrial Applications: Radiation sources are used in fields such as material hardening, welding, calibration, and non-destructive testing. Protective gloves used in these applications must provide simultaneous mechanical, chemical, and radiological protection.
• Emergency Response: For emergency response teams operating during nuclear accidents, leaks, or contamination incidents during transport of radioactive materials, gloves must be designed for rapid donning, high barrier properties, and resistance to varying temperature and chemical conditions.

The effectiveness of these gloves depends not only on their ability to directly block radiation but also on their impermeability to prevent skin contact with radioactive substances, their chemical resistance, and their ergonomic design. Each sector must select gloves compliant with appropriate standards to ensure worker safety.

Safety Practices and Maintenance

Proper use and maintenance are essential to ensure the continued effectiveness of protective gloves:

• Pre-Use Inspection: Gloves must be inspected before each use for tears, holes, or signs of wear.
• Cleaning: Contaminated gloves must be decontaminated using appropriate cleaning methods; for example, they can be cleaned with a 5% sodium hypochlorite solution.
• Storage: Gloves should be stored in a dry, cool environment away from direct sunlight.
• Service Life: Gloves must be used within the service life specified by the manufacturer and replaced with new ones once this period has expired.

Protective gloves against ionizing radiation and radioactive contamination are vital for safeguarding worker health. Selecting, using, and maintaining these gloves in accordance with international standards is a fundamental step in ensuring the safety of personnel working with radiation.