LATEX GLOVES
Do you need to buy latex gloves? Our range is perfect for users looking for affordable but effective hand protection.
Latex gloves: We are proud of our position as a leading importer and supplier of high-quality disposable gloves. Our range is designed to meet the varied needs of users in many different sectors. We sell latex gloves, nitrile gloves and vinyl gloves to both resellers and end-users that trust our products to give them the protection and hygiene needed to work safely and effectively.
Latex gloves may not be as advanced as nitrile gloves, but they are still widely used as they are more puncture resistant than vinyl gloves and offer great value for money.
Latex Disposable Gloves
We sell latex gloves of industrial and medical/exam grade. Buyers can select between powered and un-powdered varieties, according to their exact needs. The powder can reduce the buildup of moisture within the glove, however, powder free gloves may be preferred for jobs such as painting – where powder residue may interfere with the finish of the work. Our exam grade latex gloves conform to the European Medical Device Directive 93/42/EEC, as well as the EN 455 standard for use in a medical context.
- Protection: Latex gloves offer superb protection from both chemicals and blood-borne biological threats.
- Comfort: Latex is highly elastic – more so than nitrile, and far more so than vinyl.It naturally conforms to the shape of the wearer’s hand for enhanced comfort and dexterity. These are key requirements during periods of long use, or when performing intricate tasks.
- Puncture Resistance: Latex gloves offer superior levels of puncture resistance to vinyl alternatives – a primary consideration for users who may exposed to sharp, potentially contaminated objects such as syringes, or scalpels. (For users needing the highest degree of protection, we recommend our nitrile gloves range.)
- Allergenic: The primary disadvantage of latex is that the material is allergenic. While the majority of users can safely use latex, we do offer disposable nitrile and vinyl gloves as an alternative.
What is Latex?
Latex is produced from natural rubber, which is derived from the sap of a tree called Hevea brasiliensis. A lot of rubber is produced in South-East Asian countries, including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia. The trees are “tapped” which is where a small tube is hammered into the trunk, and a small bucket hung underneath to collect the sap as it flows out of the tube. After it is collected, sulphur is added in a process known as vulcanization, which converts the natural rubber into a more durable polymer suitable for modern uses. Latex is produced as a direct product of the vulcanization of natural rubber.
When most people think of latex, they think of gloves, but they are probably not aware that is it also used in many other products. Latex is used in a whole host of applications, including clothing, adhesives, household products, elastic bands, and many more. The main issue with latex products is that repeated exposure can, in some people, lead to sensitization. This means that further exposure can result in a reaction known as contact dermatitis. This is an eczema type reaction which appears as a direct result of the exposure to latex in affected individuals.
Relevant Applications
Latex disposable gloves are suitable for a range of applications across multiple industries including: