Nitrile rubber gloves query

Ashfaque · Jan 3, 2015

Hello,

Whilst looking at various nitrile rubber gloves at Amazon, I noticed that some of them use a term like "powder free". What does that powder do? Should I get the powder free or powder'ed (if there is such a word) nitrile rubber gloves - or, it does not really mater?

Bests,

Ashfaque

mike c · Jan 3, 2015

I have used the powdered gloves and the powder got all over my neg during developing, so now use no powder gloves (powder free ). The powder was added for ease of slipping on your hand, but I have no problem with the non powdered gloves.

AgX · Jan 3, 2015

Non-powdered gloves may have another means to ensure slippery. Mine leave a light silicone-oil like feeling after the first few times taking them off.

So you might better be careful about touching the emulsion just after taking them off.

Non-powdered versions are intended for uses where residues of powder (though only the inside is powdered) may be harmful (as in optics).

nsurit · Jan 3, 2015

I use the Uline powder free gloves with an extended cuff. My hands are large and I enjoy having something where the chemistry is unlikely to get inside my gloves (extended cuff.) They are not particularly expensive. Much of my work is alternative processes with chemistry that can be a bit more challenging. http://www.uline.com/Product/Detail...Powder-Free-XL?model=S-14181X&RootChecked=yes

Ashfaque · Jan 3, 2015

Thanks everyone. Will go for powder free then.

Bests,
Ashfaque

tkamiya · Jan 3, 2015

At least in US, Amazon isn't the least expensive place to purchase medical gloves. Around here, you can find them equally priced at local stores.

If you want large quantity of them, my recommendation is to check out medical supply places online. I buy them 1000 at a time. I use them for variety of things including in darkroom when dealing with large size prints. They are quite handy.

Yes, powder free....

Peltigera · Jan 3, 2015

We use nitrile gloves at work in a hot environment - cannot get the powder-free gloves onto sweaty hands! If you are keeping your hands cool, powder-free is fine.

gone · Jan 3, 2015

There are two ways to go. Walmart/Walgreens, etc can supply you w/ disposable vinyl or other types of medical gloves that are thin, disposable and cheap. I generally got several uses from each set, and they come in packs of multiples of 10 or so. Or, you can get the non disposable gloves that you can wash out after using and use them over and over. Either way, the powder will stay inside the gloves, in my experience anyway.

The difference between the two types is that the disposable gloves are very thin, similar to what a doctor uses. You can get a good feel of the materials that you're handling, and gauge how hot or cold your running water is. The thicker gloves will not work well for handling things because they're thicker. I used to go w/ the thin disposable ones, but now just have one pair of the thick ones that I use over and over w/ a wash each time.

Truzi · Jan 3, 2015

Make sure you get good gloves. I once purchased vinyl gloves for applying POR-15 to rust on my car - the POR-15 went right through it and stained my fingers. On the other hand, latex gloves provided a good barrier; I've not used nitrile, but am sure it's fine.

tkamiya · Jan 3, 2015

I was asked via PM to come back to this thread and tell where I buy mine from.

I use Allegro Medical at www.allegromedical.com

It does not have the long cuff type but has all other kinds. This is a US based vendor so I'd imagine shipping will be a lot from outside.

Ashfaque · Jan 3, 2015

Thanks everyone for your help.

Bests,
Ashfaque

Sirius Glass · Jan 3, 2015

Per Volquartz recommended powder free gloves. It does take some work/care putting them on and taking them off. I am skiing this week so when I get back I will post the source he recommended. Per was a highly praised published and exhibited international photographer and master printer. He taught printing and toning classes in his home.

AgX · Jan 3, 2015

Maybe the powder also helps a bit when transpiring when wearing a tight glove.

Sirius Glass · Jan 3, 2015

AgX said:
Maybe the powder also helps a bit when transpiring when wearing a tight glove.

Not worth the contamination risks and not needed, just put your hands in cold water.

AgX · Jan 3, 2015

tkamiya said:
I buy them 1000 at a time.

I recommend testing a pair for comfortable fit before ordering several packages.

Ashfaque · Jan 4, 2015

Considering I'm quite absent minded, I prefer powder free ones (, even though putting them on can be a bit annoying). I agree with SG. I prefer to keep the no. of variables as low as possible.

Truzi: I bought a cheap vinyl pair from a local store 2-3 weeks ago. It had a powder on it. The damn powder doesn't get off easily. I'll be more careful with my next glove purchase.
SG: Thanks. Please share a few photos from your skiing trip as well, if possible.

Bests,

Ashfaque

winger · Jan 4, 2015

Though it's not as likely with nitrile, one of the biggest reasons to not use powdered gloves is that the powder gets loose in the air and can carry the allergenic particles from latex gloves with them. This makes people more likely to become allergic to latex because they can then inhale them. (at least that's what we were told at the lab by our safety people). I've never used powdered gloves and I've never had a problem getting gloves on. Nitriles are easier than latex, too.
At the lab and at home, I use the Kimberly Clark purple nitrile gloves - KC500. The earlier link to a medical supply house has them for about 10USD, plus shipping. Amazon has them for 12USD, but I get 'free' shipping with Prime (yes, I know I'm basically paying for all my shipping by paying the membership fee, but I ship way more than the fee's worth in a year). At the lab, I used these gloves even when working with concentrated hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid - would not have done that with wimpy gloves.

tkamiya · Jan 4, 2015

I have gloves from McKesson, model 14-816. This is an inexpensive VINYL gloves. $5 for box of 100. These are powder free and textured for better grip. These are thicker than the kind I can buy from local drug stores. Drug store kinds are often so thin, they break easily. I stopped buying them. I also have Kimberly Clark nitrate KC500 like Bethe, one with long cuff. These are much more durable, and spec says they can withstand Chemo drugs even, not that I have contact with any.... I use these when necessary and when I need longer cuff.

Both of them are powder free but gets on my hands easily as long as my hands are completely dry. Even when they are towel dry, they do stick.... (is there a trick to this, Bethe?)

As far as shipping goes, Allegro Medical often has free shipping for $50 or $25 purchase, so I wait for those. I usually have more than gloves to purchase, so that hasn't been an issue.

Someone mentioned size. These professional gloves come in different sizes. I have small hands (for a man) and I find M fits perfectly. S is way too small. I'd imagine most men will require L or bigger. Yes, be sure of the size before you buy a bunch....

winger · Jan 4, 2015

Both of them are powder free but gets on my hands easily as long as my hands are completely dry. Even when they are towel dry, they do stick.... (is there a trick to this, Bethe?)

It may be sweat-related. At the lab, we always called it "glove slime". Rule was that you washed your hands every time you took gloves off. And we changed gloves very frequently. I don't change as often in the darkroom, but I always wash my hands after.
And I wear a M in the KC500 - S have too short a finger. The guys I worked with wore L or XL - I think XL (they were 6'ish, too - one is now an FBI agent and one is a MA trooper). We got samples from just about every glove that Fisher Scientific sold so that we could find the one that the majority of chemists could wear.
I buy the nitriles because I want just one glove to resist all chemicals. I need a good strong one for Mordançage.

Christopher Walrath · Jan 4, 2015

An added note, you should be able to pick various type of gloves at, for instance, your local auto parts store. They will have latex or nitrile, powder or powder free, small, medium, large, extra large (and these sizes generally tend to be small). I have used most of them over the past few years (working in an auto parts store thus having a steady supply). I would recommend nitrile, around 7 mils, again, a size above what you might get otherwise, they tend to run small. If you keep the gloves on for the duration of working with chemistry, you do not need to worry about them being hard to put on or take off. Regardless of which gloves you use, your hands are going to sweat a little so keeping some cool running water on hand and submerging your hands occasionally will go a long way to helping.

Ashfaque · Jan 5, 2015

Bethe, tkamiya and Christopher: Thanks a lot for your help. Today, I contacted a local scientific equipment & chemical supplier. He's got everything I need, including raw chemicals. The prices are very reasonable too (- similar to P. Formulary and other famous retailers)! Can't wait to visit there!

Bests,

Ashfaque

Christopher Walrath · Jan 5, 2015

Glad we could help, friend.

tkamiya · Jan 5, 2015

Only on Internet forums we can have 3 pages of discussions about rubber/nylon/whatever gloves....

AgX · Jan 6, 2015

I would not be surprised to learn about the existance of forums solely devoted to rubber gloves.

tkamiya · Jan 6, 2015

There is a forum devoted to flash lights....

Nitrile rubber gloves query

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