Maya Ellison
Plastic gloves are commonly made from nitrile, latex, or vinyl (PVC). While these gloves are usually FDA food-compliant or cleared for medical use, limited compliance allows for possible toxins or irritants to be added during manufacturing. These toxins are added to reduce costs, but they can cause toxicity risks to both the wearer and the product or patient handled. Ortho-phthalates, often referred to as phthalates, are chemicals commonly found in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves, including vinyl gloves. Phthalates make PVC soft and less brittle, and they can comprise up to 50% of vinyl glove raw materials. Other chemicals found in plastic gloves include DINP, DIDP, DPHP, and DEHP, which is a known hormone-disrupting chemical. These chemicals can have harmful health effects, and they are not chemically bound to the glove, so they can leach into food. As a result, some restaurants are encouraged to use polyethylene gloves, which are safer, affordable, and widely available.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chemicals in plastic gloves | Ortho-phthalates (THAL-eights), DINP, DIDP, DPHP, DEHP, DEHT, DOTP, chlorine gas, ethylene dichloride, vinyl chloride, dioxins, mercury, asbestos, PFAS, BPA |
| Chemicals in latex gloves | Natural rubber, chemical compounds to enhance stretch and UV resistance, dyes, thiurams, carbamates, mercaptobenzothiazole, o-Phenylphenol (OPP) |
| Chemicals in nitrile gloves | Nitrile rubber, thiurams, carbamates, mercaptobenzothiazole |
| Safer alternative | Polyethylene gloves |
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What You'll Learn
- Ortho-phthalates (THAL-eights) are toxic plasticizer chemicals found in PVC gloves
- PVC gloves are made from polyvinyl chloride and plasticizers
- Poly gloves are made from polyethylene plastic, a thin and lightweight material
- Latex gloves are made from natural rubber and chemical compounds
- Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber and provide superior resistance to chemicals
Ortho-phthalates (THAL-eights) are toxic plasticizer chemicals found in PVC gloves
Ortho-phthalates (THAL-eights) are toxic plasticizer chemicals that may be found in PVC gloves. They are used to make the PVC flexible enough for use in gloves. On average, they comprise about a third of a PVC glove. Ortho-phthalates are not chemically bound to the glove and can leach into food upon contact.
A 2019 study found that one out of seven vinyl (PVC) food-handling gloves tested contained ortho-phthalates. Gloves from Wendy's, Burger King, and McDonald's were found to contain these chemicals. Two-thirds of the fast-food restaurants visited in the study used PVC gloves to handle food.
The phthalates discovered in the gloves included DINP, DIDP, DPHP, and DEHP. DINP, DIDP, and DPHP all show harmful health effects similar to DEHP, a known hormone-disrupting chemical. DEHP exposure is linked to genital malformations in baby boys, ADHD in children, and infertility later in life. DINP is also an anti-androgen, meaning it disrupts the hormone testosterone.
Some vinyl gloves contain DEHT or DOTP, a plasticizer chemical intended to replace ortho-phthalates. However, DOTP is not considered a safe alternative as it may also be a hormone-disrupting chemical, and human exposure is widespread.
Safer alternatives to vinyl gloves are available, such as polyethylene gloves, which do not require plasticizers or toxic chemicals in their manufacturing process.
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PVC gloves are made from polyvinyl chloride and plasticizers
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) is a versatile synthetic polymer derived from the polymerization of vinyl chloride monomers. It is a cornerstone material in industries worldwide due to its cost-effectiveness, durability, flexibility, and adaptability. PVC gloves are commonly used in healthcare, food service, and industrial settings to provide protection against various substances, including hazardous chemicals, oils, greases, and food-related contaminants.
The presence of toxic chemicals in PVC gloves has raised concerns among health advocates and led to calls for restaurants and food service businesses to discontinue the use of PVC gloves altogether. Polyethylene gloves are suggested as a safer alternative as they do not require any plasticizer chemicals and provide adequate protection. However, it is challenging to ensure that PVC gloves are free from phthalates without specialized testing equipment for each new box of gloves.
Despite the concerns about toxic chemicals, PVC gloves continue to be widely used due to their low cost and functionality in non-hazardous and low-infection environments. They offer protection against specific chemicals and have sufficient flexibility for tasks requiring dexterity and barrier protection. PVC gloves are also latex-free, making them suitable for individuals with latex allergies.
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Poly gloves are made from polyethylene plastic, a thin and lightweight material
Poly gloves are thinner than gloves made from nitrile, vinyl, and latex. This makes them suitable for light-duty tasks, such as food preparation, household chores, first aid, and beauty salons. They are also commonly used in the food service industry, as they are latex and powder-free, which helps prevent allergic reactions. They are also suitable for short-duration tasks, as they are easy to remove.
Poly gloves are also beneficial for preventing the contamination of food by toxic chemicals. Vinyl or PVC gloves are often referred to as 'poison plastic' due to the toxic chemical hazards they create across their lifecycle. One such toxic chemical is ortho-phthalates, which can migrate into food upon contact. Poly gloves, on the other hand, do not require any plasticizer chemicals, making them a safer alternative.
LDPE, or low-density polyethylene, is a type of polyethylene that is thinner and less opaque. It is used to make plastic grocery bags, dispensing bottles, and disposable gloves. It is also a non-leaching plastic, meaning it will not release unwanted chemicals into food, making it suitable for the food service industry.
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Latex gloves are made from natural rubber and chemical compounds
Plastic gloves are typically made of materials such as latex, nitrile, vinyl, or PVC. Nitrile compounds were previously referred to as "synthetic rubber", but this term is now used for vinyl or PVC. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) gloves are made from petroleum-based products and various PVC formulas. On the other hand, polyethylene gloves are made from a light, transparent plastic called PE, which is recyclable, eco-friendly, and safer than vinyl.
Latex gloves, in particular, are made from natural rubber and chemical compounds. Natural rubber latex has been the most satisfactory raw material for glove manufacturing. The minor differences between pure natural rubber and latex lie in the chemical compounds added to the liquid rubber tree sap during processing. These chemicals improve the elasticity of the gloves, allowing them to stretch without tearing and enhancing their resistance to ultraviolet radiation. The latex is also tinted with special dyes while in a liquid state. These chemical additives are generally non-allergenic, but some people may develop an allergy to the natural rubber proteins. To address this issue, an alternative compounding formulation for natural rubber latex foam has been developed, exhibiting ultra-low protein allergenicity and chemical sensitivity.
The production of latex gloves involves coagulating, creping, crumbling, washing, and drying the natural rubber latex. It is then mixed with compounding chemicals and processed into gloves using methods such as dipping formers, foaming, or extrusion. The dipping process can be done with or without a destabilizing chemical, and the product is typically washed to remove excess chemicals before vulcanization in ovens. Vulcanization is performed at high temperatures to reduce the presence of residual proteins that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
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Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber and provide superior resistance to chemicals
Nitrile gloves are made from synthetic rubber, a material that offers superior chemical and abrasion resistance. Nitrile gloves are commonly used in laboratories and medical environments due to their exceptional puncture resistance and ability to eliminate the risk of latex allergy reactions. They are also more durable and resistant to chemicals than latex and vinyl gloves.
Nitrile gloves provide short-term splash protection against various chemicals. The breakthrough time, or the time it takes for a substance to penetrate the glove, is an important consideration when working with chemicals. For nitrile gloves with a thickness of 5-mil or greater, breakthrough will not occur in under 15 minutes. However, for thinner gloves of 5-mil or less, breakthrough may occur in under one minute.
The thickness of nitrile gloves is typically measured in mils, with a 10-mil glove being 0.010 inches thick. A thicker glove generally provides better protection, but this comes at the cost of touch sensitivity and dexterity. To balance protection and dexterity, some individuals opt for double-gloving, but this can lead to hand fatigue and overheating. It is crucial to choose a glove that fits properly, as a glove that is too small or too large can compromise protection.
While nitrile gloves offer superior chemical resistance, it is important to remember that they provide only limited protection. These gloves are intended for brief contact with chemicals and must be removed and discarded immediately after contamination. Additionally, laboratory testing data does not account for the effects of hand movement and body temperature, which can reduce the actual protection provided by the gloves.
Nitrile gloves are a popular alternative to latex and vinyl gloves, especially for individuals with allergies or sensitivities to latex. They offer superior resistance to chemicals, making them ideal for handling hazardous and corrosive substances. However, it is worth noting that some individuals may be sensitive to the accelerators (chemical additives) in nitrile gloves, and accelerator-free options are available for those individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, plastic gloves are often made with toxic ortho-phthalates (THAL-eights), commonly known as phthalates. These chemicals are used to make the gloves flexible.
Ortho-phthalates are toxic plasticizer chemicals that can leach into food upon contact. Phthalates are hormone-disrupting chemicals that have been linked to harmful health effects.
Ortho-phthalates are commonly found in vinyl or PVC gloves. Vinyl gloves, also known as "poison plastic", contain dangerous chemical additives that leach out of the plastic during their lifecycle.
Yes, polyethylene gloves are a safer alternative to vinyl gloves as they do not require any plasticizer chemicals. They offer protection from mild chemicals, oils, fats, punctures and abrasions, and are also affordable and widely available.
Yes, other chemicals found in plastic gloves include chlorine, asbestos, mercury, PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), BPA, and various accelerators such as thiurams, carbamates, and mercaptobenzothiazole. These accelerators can cause contact dermatitis or allergic reactions in some individuals.
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