You must keep disposable gloves in the appropriate storage conditions to limit any degradation. You should be aware that dust, sunlight, moisture, and extreme conditions may all have a bearing on the condition of stored gloves. Therefore, you should keep them in a dry, well-ventilated area to effectively prevent deterioration.
Carry out a thorough inspection of the disposable gloves before use. Gloves that have been taken out of the protective packaging and stored inappropriately may be torn or contaminated. If damaged or ineffective gloves are worn, there will be a direct risk to the individual wearing them so gloves should be immediately replaced if any signs of degradation are identified.
Disposable Glove Breakthrough Time
Breakthrough time refers to the period between exposure of a hazardous chemical or substance to the glove and breakage of the surface resulting in direct skin contact. It is said to occur when the permeation rate is at a level of 0.1mg/m2/second. Glove protection will be considered inadequate at this point.
Factors that have a bearing on the breakthrough time include:
- Glove thickness
- Chemical concentration
- Level of chemical exposure
- Amount of time that elapses in contact with the glove
- The likelihood of abrasion or puncturing
Disposable Glove Permeation Rate
The permeation rate of a disposable glove is measured in terms of milligrams per square metre per second (mg/m2/sec). It is specific to the steady-state flow of the permeating chemical in relation to the glove elastomer. The permeation process involves initial contact with the substance, penetration through the glove surface, and spread across the inner glove lining. As mentioned above, glove thickness is one of the factors which has a direct bearing on the permeation rate.