- Medical gloves are not limited to use in hospitals, as long as high sensitivity is required for the hands, medical gloves can be used.
- Disposable medical examination gloves can be used for “non-medical purposes”, but civilian gloves “usually cannot be used for medical purposes”. In short, it is possible to overuse talents, but small talents are usually not capable of being overused.
- Some special purposes require the purchase of “specialized protective gloves”, such as industrial anti slip thick disposable gloves. Reference difference two for the use of disposable gloves: different standards for measuring “quality”
- The standard for measuring disposable medical examination gloves is “in principle, the thinner the better”, and medical gloves focus on flexibility, sensitivity, and barrier properties. Because the production materials with the same strength (usually nitrile, waterborne polyurethane, natural latex materials), the thinner the gloves processed, the higher the flexibility and sensitivity, and the higher the technical requirements.
- (Non medical) disposable protective gloves: There are two standards: ① Appearance and disposable medical gloves are almost identical, and can be widely used for food processing, electronic manufacturing, household cleaning and other purposes. ——There is no specific measurement standard, it depends on your specific purpose and needs. If you want flexibility and sensitivity, choose a thin version. The thickness should also be considered in conjunction with the material, for example, the measurement standards for thin nitrile and thin PVC are different. ② For industrial and chemical related uses, gloves are required to be “thicker the better”, emphasizing the durability and wear resistance of gloves. Difference 3: Different testing standards are implemented. Disposable gloves are produced according to specific testing standards, while medical and civilian standards are different. 1. (Medical) Disposable Medical Examination Gloves: For example, GB 10213-2006 Disposable Medical Rubber Examination Gloves (Chinese National Standard). If the gloves are exported for sale, they must also pass other national testing standards, such as EN 455 (European Standard), ASTM D6319 (American Standard, Standard Specification for Medical Nitrile Examination Gloves)
- (Non medical) disposable protective gloves: GB 10213-1995 disposable rubber inspection gloves (Chinese national standard), EN 374 (European standard, measuring some performance requirements for protective gloves, applicable to both medical and civilian disposable gloves). ——The above have written a few basic standards, but there are still many standards that will not be listed. In short, medical gloves have stricter standards and more testing items. There are also differences in specific properties between the two types of gloves, such as weight/thickness and stretch rate. How to distinguish medical/civilian disposable gloves: First, look at the appearance color of the gloves: blue, white, milky white – both medical and civilian gloves are available. Especially for blue nitrile gloves, it is impossible to distinguish whether they are medical or not based on their appearance. Black, semi transparent, orange, green, yellow, etc. – usually civilian gloves. 2、 Check glove packaging: Regular manufacturers will label whether it is medical on the packaging:
- Medical disposable gloves – The product name usually indicates the words “medical examination gloves”, “medical gloves”, and “medical gloves”. 2. Disposable gloves for civilian use – the product name does not contain the words’ medical ‘or’ medical ‘
- Check the production materials of gloves: Based on experience, medical examination gloves usually include latex gloves, water-based polyurethane gloves, and nitrile gloves. Non medical (civilian) protective gloves: PVC gloves, nitrile gloves, various mixed nitrile gloves. Distinguishing whether nitrile gloves are medical: 1. Appearance color: If they are orange, black, green, yellow, etc., they are usually non-medical (civilian) nitrile. If you want to prioritize medical use, look at blue nitrile. 2. Look at the packaging label: distinguish common blue gloves, and check the packaging. Medical nitrile will be labeled with the words “Medical” and “Medical” on the packaging box. Non medical (civilian) nitrile does not have medical labeling. Check the execution standards: Usually marked on the back of the packaging box, medical nitrile gloves are generally marked with the execution standards. Refer to the usage label: usually marked on the back and side of the packaging box to see the recommended usage. 3. If distinguishing before purchase: you can check whether the name and details page describe it as “medical examination gloves”. Based on the thickness or weight description of nitrile gloves, medical grade nitrile is relatively thin to ensure flexibility.