Latex disposable gloves are available in two main categories: industrial grade and exam grade. How do you decide which category to choose? The first step in selecting the best latex glove for the job, is to determine the purpose of the glove or the intended use.

How will the Latex Gloves Be Used?
The most important factor in selecting the best latex glove for the job, is to determine the purpose of the glove or how the glove will be used.   Some questions to consider:

• Will this glove be used in applications that are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens?
• If no, refer to the industrial grade section.
• If yes, then a medical grade exam glove in either latex, nitrile or vinyl are excellent options, since they are all FDA approved for medical use and offer effective barrier protection, against bloodborne pathogens. Deciding which material to choose, latex versus nitrile, versus vinyl can be determined in the next few sections discussing industries and performance level.

Exam Grade or Medical Grade Disposable Gloves are best suited for applications that are at risk of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other environmental contaminants such as the medical and dental industry. Medical Grade latex gloves must meet FDA standards for barrier protection against bloodborne pathogens. Disposable gloves for all other purposes fall into the industrial grade category, a less stringent set of requirements that still meet factory standards.

Industrial Grade Latex Gloves are best suited for applications that require contact with chemicals and solvents, such as the automotive, chemical and safety and janitorial and sanitation industries. Common questions to consider:

• Will this glove be used in industrial applications where you are at risk for exposure to chemicals?  
• If no, continue reading.
• If yes, then an industrial grade glove with chemical resistance in either latex, nitrile or vinyl are excellent options to consider since they all having varying performance levels of chemical resistance. Deciding which material to choose, latex versus nitrile, versus vinyl can be determined in the next few sections discussing industries and performance level needed from the glove.
• Will this glove be used in food handling or processing?
• If, yes then latex gloves are an option since they are FDA approved for food service. If repeated gloves changes are necessary, such as food service where a new glove is required for each customer, a lighter weight glove is best. With frequent glove changes vinyl or poly gloves are the best low cost barrier protection. Each category offers a wide selection of styles and each glove style is best suited to the glove purpose. Each category offers a wide selection of styles and each glove style is best suited to the glove purpose.

Now that you have determined how the glove will be used continue to the next section “What is Industrial Grade versus Medical Grade?” to discover the differences between industrial grade and nitrile grade gloves and which is right for you.