Are Nitrile Coated Gloves Safe? What Are Nitrile Coated Gloves Used For?

Nitrile coated gloves are most commonly used in industries related to food, painting, chemical labs, assembling and warehousing, and automobiles.

They’re excellent protection for mechanics, labor working in industries that manufacture pesticides and cleaners, and repairmen too. Unlike the real rubber gloves that might cause latex allergy, Nitrile coated gloves are very safe. 

Nitrile coated gloves are resistant to abrasion; hence, they can offer protection from harsh and harmful chemicals in paints. They are strong, durable, and, most importantly, they are puncture resilient too.

Are Nitrile Coated Gloves Safe

Unlike normal leather gloves or latex gloves that cannot offer protection from cuts and scrapes, nitrile coated gloves offer protection from sustaining such injuries. 

Traditional leather gloves that gained popularity because they didn’t cause latex allergy are heavy. Nitrile coated gloves steal the race here too: they’re lightweight and non-bulky. Hence, it’s much easier to work in them. 

Expect to learn a lot more about what Nitrile coated gloves are used for, whether or not they’re safe, what are the benefits of wearing them, the best options you can buy, and much more in this delightful read!

Are Nitrile Coated Gloves Safe to Wear: What’s the Hype Around Them?

Nitrile coated gloves are the safest work gloves preferred by chefs, handlers in warehouses and shipping, and painters. The entire hype around these gloves is because they’re the strongest protection against chemicals and oils.

They have an excellent grip that offers protection to people who work with tools in their hands: mechanics, surgeons, healthcare workers, and pathologists. 

The entire hype around Nitrile coated gloves is because they do not contain latex and they’re puncture-resistant too. Although Nitrile is known as acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, it isn’t real rubber. It’s synthetic! 

Types of Nitrile Coated Gloves 

There are basically 2 types of Nitrile coated gloves: Powdered and non-powdered. 

The powdered nitrile gloves are more of a sort of examination gloves that are worn by healthcare staff, handlers in warehousing, mechanics, painters, and lab workers. 

The non-powdered variety is for the food industry. They’re used by chefs, restaurant staff, and food inspectors. The non-powdered version of Nitrile coated gloves does not contain cornstarch. That’s why they’re the more preferred option when handling food and beverages. 

8 Amazing Benefits of Wearing Nitrile Coated Gloves

Nitrile coated gloves offer not just one but many benefits. Whether it’s rubber gloves or leather gloves, Nitrile gloves are the better options. Find out why!

1.) Nitrile Coated Gloves Offer Excellent Heat Protection

Unlike rubber or natural leather that cannot protect your hands from extensive heat, Nitrile coated gloves can offer heat protection up to 149°C (300°F). This is one of the biggest reasons that people working in restaurants prefer wearing these gloves. 

In fact, nitrile coated gloves have the widest spectrum of temperature that it can resist: -4°C (25°F) to 149°C (300°F).

However, there’s one precaution: bear in mind, Nitrile coated gloves are temperature resistant not flame resistant. So, yes, they do burn! They can’t protect your hands from fire, they can protect your hands from getting burnt if you accidentally touch a hot surface.

2.) Nitrile Coated Gloves Offer Protection From Harsh Chemicals

Nitrile coated gloves are no to very-little permeable. They do not allow certain chemicals to pass through them. The acids/chemicals they do not absorb include:

      • Acetone
      • Ethanol
      • Isobutyl
      • Isopropyl
      • Methanol

That’s one of the reasons why lab workers, doctors, and all the healthcare staff prefer wearing Nitrile coated gloves. Since they’re resistant to many kinds of acids, they are highly resistant to abrasion.

If you’re from the medical field and you work with any of the solvents listed above, there’s nothing safer than Nitrile coated gloves.

However, you have to have practical expectations. You can’t expect these gloves to offer protection from highly strong concentrated acids such as sulphuric acid. In fact, you should not use them with aromatic solvents, acetates, and ketones either.

Be careful of the purpose you’re using them for. As long as you’re using Nitrile coated gloves for the industries and purposes they’re designed for, they will keep your hands safe. 

3.) Nitrile Coated Gloves Offer Protection from Cuts and Puncture Wounds

It’s not easy to cut through the surface of Nitrile gloves. If you work with sharp tools, these gloves will offer the best protection. They do not let sharp objects puncture their surface very easily.

Hence, your hands will be protected from cuts and scrapes much better than they would have been in latex gloves or leather gloves. 

4.) Nitrile Coated Gloves Offer Excellent Grip

One of the problems with latex and leather gloves is that they do not offer a strong grip. Thus, the chances of losing a grip on the tools you’re working with are very high.

This, however, isn’t an issue with Nitrile gloves. Nitrile has oil sucking and sweat absorbing qualities. Hence, the grip on the tools doesn’t get loose. 

This, however, doesn’t mean that Nitrile coated gloves will absorb the said materials and create friction against your hands.

Instead, Nitrile will abort the said materials and keep your hands dry. But, as already said, nitrile should be used for oils and chemicals it is designed for. 

5.) Nitrile Coated Gloves do Not Cause Allergy

If you’ve got sensitive skin or you have a latex allergy, Nitrile coated gloves are the best option. Nitrile is a synthetic rubber and is devoid of latex. It doesn’t cause itching or rashes at all.

Needless to say, these gloves are gentle on the skin, not at all harsh despite they’re thicker than latex gloves. 

6.) Nitrile Coated Gloves are Comfortable 

They don’t slip, they just don’t! You do not just get an excellent grip, it’s also easy to slip these gloves on and remove them as well.

They easily adhere to the shape of all five fingers and give a snug comfortable fit. Nitrile gloves aren’t too bulky either. Therefore, working while wearing them is very comfortable.

7.) Nitrile Coated Gloves Offer Protection From Contaminants

Nitrile coated gloves keep the hands from coming in direct contact with harmful microorganisms. Their surface doesn’t allow fungus, bacteria, and viruses to pass through.

In fact, they’re also resistant to caustic substances to some extent. That’s why they’re most commonly used by PPE workers and doctors. 

8.) Nitrile Coated Gloves are Affordable

With so many benefits and the fact that they have to be disposed of after every single use, it’s natural to worry that Nitrile coated gloves would be expensive.

But, they aren’t! Nitrile gloves are inexpensive. It’s much better when you buy them in bulk. They can last for as long as 5 years without getting damaged when stored properly. 

3 Best Nitrile Gloves You Should Buy 

1.) Chemical-Resistant Disposable Nitrile Gloves by Venom

Color: Black

Size: Medium/Large

Count/Pack: 100 

These are powder-free Nitrile gloves that can be used in the food industry as well as doctors and the healthcare staff. One of the best products on the market, the many benefits of this one are as follows:

1.) The entire pack is affordable.

2.) They are strong enough and quite abrasion resistant too. Hence, they’re also very good options for painting. 

3.) They offer an excellent grip that makes them a good choice for mechanics. 

4.) They are resilient enough for household chores when dealing with cleaners to wipe surfaces at home.

Cons: Some users report a size mismatch.


2.) Heavy Duty Nitrile Gloves by Infi-Touch Strong

Color: Black

Size: Large

Count/Pack: 100

These are non-sterile Nitrile gloves that are highly resistant to chemicals and oils. They remain true to their size and do not expand or swell up if they come in contact with oils. Besides, they offer a seamless finishing that increases the grip too. 

1.) They’re extremely resistant to cuts and punctures. Hence, they will protect your hand much better than latex or rubber gloves ever can. 

2.) The fingertips are micro-textured so that you don’t lose grip even when handling oiled parts.

Cons: Some users report that the gloves are a little heavier than expected. Nonetheless, they’re still comfortable and offer excellent grip and abrasion protection. 


3.) Disposable Nitrile Gloves by ProCure

Color: Cool Blue

Size: They come in all sizes.

Count/Pack: 400

These are excellent Nitrile gloves that are widely used in the healthcare sector by doctors and frontline workers. They’re very soft and super comfortable to wear. Besides, they’re highly resistant to tearing and abrasion. 

1.) The fingertips are textured to enhance the grip. It prevents accidental slipping of tools.

2.) Not just small, medium, large, and extra-large, these Nitrile gloves come in extra-small sizes too.

3.) They’re true to their size.

Cons: Some users report that they’re not the same color as promoted by the company. 


How to Store Your Nitrile Gloves so that They Last Longer?

Manufacturers usually design Nitrile gloves with a shelf life of 5 years. In fact, many times, Nitrile coated gloves have also lasted for as long as an entire decade. However, they have to be stored a certain way so that they last for as long as they are originally designed for. 

Here are some storage dos and don’ts to make the gloves last longer:

1.) UV exposure will spoil the Nitrile coated gloves. Hence, store them at places that don’t see the Sun. 

2.) Store in a dark and cool place. The temperature shouldn’t exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

3.) It’s not just the UV light from the Sun that can damage these gloves, rays from fluorescent bulbs will also damage your gloves. That’s why dark places are the more preferred option. 

Also, make sure you do not break the seal if you’re not going to use the packet yet. 

Concluding Thoughts:

Nitrile gloves are extremely safe to wear, and not just for commercial industrial use, but also medical use, household use, and the food industry. They offer protection from harsh chemicals and can also protect hands from getting cut.

You just have to be careful that you buy high-quality Nitrile coated gloves and store them properly so that they can last for 5 years or even more!

Stephen Luettgen
I have 12+ years of experience in construction, inspections, handy work, and currently working as a Construction Site Manager. In today’s day we spent a significant part of our time at workplace and a right work gear can have significant impact not only on your safety but also work quality.

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