Below are the answers to the most common questions we're
asked.
If you require more information, please contact us direct.
 |
||||
|
||||
  |
 |
|||
       |
||||
| Frequently Asked Questions | |
 |
|
I have heard that rubber gloves can cause an allergic reaction.
There are two types of materials in rubber gloves that may cause allergic
reactions in people who are sensitised to these materials. Natural rubber
and synthetic rubber (such as nitrile or neoprene) contain compounds known
as accelerators. These accelerators are essential to the production process
of rubber gloves, as they help to develop the strength of the glove, and
cannot be left out. They are usually based on dithiocarbamates or mercaptobenzthiazoles.
These materials may cause a Type IV allergic response also known as delayed
contact allergy.Natural rubber contains proteins which are present in the latex used to make gloves. The protein occurs naturally in the latex and is not added deliberately. Sometimes known as latex protein, this material may cause a Type I allergic response also known as an immediate contact allergy. In both cases, the production factory makes every effort to ensure that residues of accelerator or latex protein in the gloves are as low as possible.  Top
What is the difference between natural rubber and synthetic rubber?
Natural rubber as the name implies, is a naturally occurring material. It is obtained from the sap of the Hevea Brasiliensis tree, also known
as the natural rubber tree. The sap is called latex and after being passed through a concentration process to increase the amount of rubber
in the latex, it is used to make gloves by a dipping process in which the latex coats a hand shaped former. When the latex has been cured
and dried, it is peeled from the former to obtain the glove.Synthetic rubbers can also be produced as latex, which is used to make gloves in a similar manner to that of natural rubber latex. However, synthetic rubbers are not obtained from trees; they are produced from petroleum feedstock. The petroleum is split into the different building blocks needed to make the synthetic rubber. These building blocks are called monomers and are joined together to make a polymer (which forms the rubber). For example, isoprene monomer is used to make polyisoprene (or Neoprene). Nitrile rubber is made from three monomers: acrylonitrile, butadiene and acrylic acid. Top
How long can I expect a pair of rubber gloves to last?
This is a difficult question to answer because it depends on how much you use them and how well you take care of the gloves after use.
Natural rubber gloves are affected by fats and oils, which is often present on dishes and cooking utensils which are being washed.
If these fats and oils are not washed from the surface of a natural rubber glove then the gloves will deteriorate within weeks.
Synthetic rubber gloves made from nitrile are more resistant to fats and oils and will last longer than natural rubber gloves.
Top
How do I look after my household gloves?
After use, and while they are still on your hands, give them a good rinse to wash any fats and oils from the surface.
Dry the outside of the glove with a towel and then, as you remove them, turn them inside out. By turning them inside out you will
prevent the build up of nasty smells inside the glove. Do not leave your gloves in direct sunlight or near heat to dry.
Top
How many times can I use a disposable glove?
Well, disposable gloves are actually designed to be used once. But if they
are clean and dry, and don’t have any holes then you could use them more than once. If you have used the disposable glove whilst carrying out first aid, then we recommend that you dispose of the glove immediately after use. Top
When I wear household gloves, my hands sweat, what type of
glove would be best for me?
Rubber gloves are designed to act as a barried to water, which means that they will tend to keep sweat in. Our flocklined gloves
are coated on the inside with soft, cotton fibres to absorb sweat. If you are working hard or produce a lot of sweat, you may
wish to wear a cotton glove inside the household glove.4
Top
I always find it difficult to get my gloves on and off, what is the best way?
The best way to make sure that a glove slips on easily is to ensure that your hands are dry before pulling them on.
Water can cause your hands to stick to the rubber making it difficult to don the glove. To remove the glove, grip the cuff
and pull it down over your hand. This action will cause the glove to turn inside out, which is the best way to leave the
glove so that any dampness inside the glove has a chance to evaporate.
Top
Why are some gloves lined and some unlined?
Some gloves are lined with either a cotton or viscose fibre coating. These fibres absorb sweat in order to make the glove
feel more comfortable during use. However, some people who suffer from eczema may suffer from broken skin that could be
irritated by the fibres. So, we provide an alternative, unlined glove for people with sensitive skin. These unlined gloves are given a special surface treatment to make the inside of the glove smooth, so that they are easy to put on and kinder to broken skin. Top
What is nitrile?
Nitrile is a type of synthetic rubber that is produced from petroleum feedstock. It is an abbreviation of the full name of the synthetic rubber, which is acrylonitrile, butadiene, acrylic acid terpolymer. It’s a lot quicker to just say nitrile.
Top
|
© BM Polyco Limited, 2009 - Registered in England No. 1368213
Recycle More