Vinyl Exam Gloves

Vinyl exam gloves are a multipurpose glove designed to protect wearers from contact with hazardous substances without impeding their ability to work with their hands. Procedures that call for the use of a product like a vinyl exam glove include medical, dental, therapeutic, food service and cleaning work. Synthetic vinyl exam gloves are preferred by many over latex gloves because they do not cause irritation or allergic reactions. Wearing vinyl exam gloves and maintaining necessary hygiene or health and safety standards are integral parts of professional conduct in occupations involving contact with hazardous material or where there is a risk of contamination.

Synthetic vinyl exam gloves are available either with or without powder. The application of powder, usually cornstarch, is designed to make the gloves easier to put on and remove, and provide extra comfort for the wearer. Powdered exam gloves resist tearing and rips more than gloves without powder. Powder in synthetic vinyl exam gloves will prevent the gloves sticking together. Vinyl exam gloves without powder are popular where wearing gloves occurs frequently or for long periods.

Some wearers find the powder irritates their skin, and prefer to wear a vinyl exam glove without powder, foregoing the ease of application and taking care when stretching the glove not to tear it. There are medical facilities that mandate the usage of powder free synthetic vinyl exam gloves to prevent the risk of skin irritation or allergic reaction in staff and clients, and to prevent clouds of powder that may irritate or contaminate sensitive areas.

Vinyl exam gloves sold in bulk packs are not sterile. For procedures requiring sterility, users are recommended to purchase individually packaged and sterilised vinyl exam gloves, and ensure that the packaging remains unopened until the time of the procedure. Bulk packages are a convenient, economical and environmentally conscious way to ensure protection in the workplace or in the home. Professions that benefit from the use of single use, disposable vinyl exam gloves will find that gloves are available in a range of sizes and with features specific to their application.

Medical professionals may prefer exam grade, PVC vinyl with additional resins for comfort and strength that does not add extra bulk. Tattooists and therapeutic industry wearers that are expected to perform fine, delicate work may also prefer this higher performance vinyl exam glove. Those in the food service industry, or working in cleaning service where they are exposed to hazardous chemicals may prefer the slightly thicker, more robust synthetic vinyl exam gloves, that offer the same comfort, but less flexibility, giving a higher level of protection against punctures and tears, and risks associated with exposure to acids, bases, solvents, and other workplace chemicals.

Emergency health care professionals working in hostile or dangerous environments may also prefer these to the thinner medical grade gloves for the additional protection from chemicals and resistance to punctures from sharp or rough objects in the work environment. Food service professionals may also wish to forgo powder on their vinyl exam gloves, to avoid contaminating food with foreign substances.