Latex examination gloves or Nitrile for Rollo Pyro?

[jp80874]

What is the protective difference between Latex examination gloves and Nitrile when using Rollo Pyro? I use Bostick & Sullivan’s Rollo Pyro in a Jobo CPP-2 with Expert tanks. In their instructions B&S say “Wear gloves for any operation likely to splash pyro solutions.” My local pharmacist suggested Latex examination gloves. Several people in another Pyro thread mentioned Nitrile gloves. Though I have several allergies, latex does not appear to be one of them. Do I need to switch to Nitrile gloves or are the latex gloves offering enough protection?

Thanks,

John Powers

 

[Donald Miller]

John,

Nitrile is a much better choice. I have used double latex at times and they will disintegrate in pyro.

 

[MenacingTourist]

I just started using rollo pyro and grabbed the first box of gloves I saw at the pharmacy. Turns out they were the nitrile kind. Personally, I like the purple better than the white/cream of regular latex. I think they were about the same price so why not get the nitrile.

 

[Bill Mobbs]

Use the Nitrile gloves! Don't forget the purple socks that go with them.

 

[glbeas]

Chemicals will seep through the latex that will not through the nitrile. Use the nitrile!

 

[Kerik]

In your case, latex is fine. You're processing in a Jobo, so any exposure is going to be minimal. OTOH, if you were processing in trays when you fingers are in the Rollo for many minutes, Nitrile is the way to go.

 

[Ole]

The amount of chemicals that will penetrate latex gloves within any normal processing time is so miniscule that it's ridiculous to worry about it - unless you wear a fuul-body nitrile cover in the darkroom you will absorb more fumes through the skin of the rest of your body.

Use whatever gloves you are most comfortable with.

EXCEPT: Latex allergies. And some latex gloves tend to weaken in very strong alkaline solutions, like monobath processes. I can't think of any "normal" developer that reaches pH 13...

 

[juan]

I'm not a chemist, but I know that when I used latex gloves while developing prints in amidol, I got black fingernails just as though I had worn no gloves at all. I don't have the problem with nitrile.

Yes, amidol is not the same as Rollo Pyro, and maybe the latex is fine for Rollo, but I'd recommend nitrile based on my experience.
juan

 

[User Removed]

Nitrile gloves. They are more chemical resistant.

 

[photobackpacker]

unless you wear a fuul-body nitrile cover in the darkroom QUOTE]

Ole - have you been peeking at me in my darkroom - shiny black no less...

 

[Ole]

Ole - have you been peeking at me in my darkroom - shiny black no less...

Mine's latex!

 

[Kerik]

Mine's latex!

Too Much Information!!!

 

[KenS]

Though I have several allergies, latex does not appear to be one of them. Do I need to switch to Nitrile gloves or are the latex gloves offering enough protection?

Thanks,

John Powers

John,

While you may not presently show any reaction to latex, with longer term use it can still "arrive". While the nitrile gloves are more expensive they do offer better protection. I "wash" my hands before removing my nitrile gloves with a liquid hand soap and re-use when dry.

Ken

 

[Curt]

Use Nitril and save the latex for the other digit.

I've never seen a purple glove
and hope I never see one
but I can tell you any how
I'd rather see than be one

from the Purple Cow