Protection gloves
 |
This article is a stub. Please help Sciencemadness Wiki by expanding it, adding pictures, and improving existing text.
|
Working in a lab poses many health issues, which require proper protection. The most exposed parts when working are your hands, which is why it's recommended you wear protective gloves when handling toxic or corrosive chemicals.
Contents
Types of protection gloves
Protection gloves can mean any type of glove that offers protection against chemical reagents, fire and mechanical objects. While there is no proper categorization, the most common types of gloves are:
- Medical gloves: This is the most common type of protection glove used, mainly due to their simplicity, price and overall good performance. Latex (powdered and non-powdered), butyl, neoprene, PVC, vinyl, etc.
- Work gloves: Unlike the above, they generally don't offer protection against liquids and very little protection against corrosive reagents, though being thicker will slow the diffusion of the corrosive substance, giving you enough time to remove the glove from your hand. The most common type is made of cotton, though leather, kevlar, rubber gloves also exist.
- Heat resistant gloves: Used when handling cold or hot objects. Offer little protection against corrosive substances.
- Laminated gloves: Offer the best protection against corrosive and toxic materials, though they tend to be pricey.
Compatibility and performance
To be added
Availability
Medical gloves can be purchased from various pharmacies, medical suppliers. They can also be found in various hardware and home improvement stores. Nitrile gloves can sometimes be purchased from car shops.
Common gloves, such as leather or rubber gloves can be used as protective gloves, though their performance is generally unsatisfactory. Kitchen gloves can be used when handling cold materials, such as cryonics.
Handling
Safety
Latex gloves may cause allergies. The powder from powdered gloves may also cause health issues over long periods of time.
Storage
Glove and glove box holders/dispensers should be kept away from light and corrosive solvents.
Disposal
Unless the gloves have been contaminated with hazardous materials, like biological cultures, they can simply be dumped in trash. If heavy metals came in contact with the gloves, they should be placed in a separate container for heavy metals and sent to hazardous waste disposal centers.
