Abstract
Disposable gloves are personal protective equipment that should be considered only as a last resort, or a last line of defense, in terms of dermal protection. Gloves should always be used when chemicals are handled and other workplace controls fail to provide sufficient dermal protection. Minor risks can sometimes be averted by using disposable gloves that are disposed of often or immediately after first contact with the chemical, but it is necessary to know what polymer type and thickness of gloves can give protection against the chemicals used, as well as how long the gloves should be used to provide adequate protection. Chemical resistance and permeation information for disposable gloves has become more and more available. This chapter provides a summary of the test methods used to evaluate disposable gloves, as well as permeation results for disinfectants and cytostatic compounds common to healthcare settings, and isocyanate compounds, solvents, other chemicals, mixtures, and formulations common to several industries.