Posted on Thursday 05th December, 2024

Disposable nitrile gloves are a staple in various industries, including healthcare and manufacturing. They are essential in laboratories and electrostatic-protected areas (EPAs). These gloves not only shield workers from chemical exposure, but also prevent static charge generation due to their natural static dissipative properties. When paired with a grounding wrist strap, nitrile gloves provide a reliable path-to-ground, ensuring safety in environments sensitive to electrostatic discharge.

Nitrile gloves may be powder-free or powdered. Powdered gloves have a long shelf life and may be easier to put on, but the powder particles — talc or cornstarch — have a downside. Powder can be a skin irritant for some individuals, and the particles are considered a contaminant for many manufacturing environments. The insulative particles can interfere with electrical connections and lead to defects in EPAs.

Powder-free nitrile gloves are designed for enhanced comfort by eliminating the risk of skin dryness or irritation. This is particularly beneficial for workers with sensitive skin or those wearing gloves for extended periods. However, the real benefit of using powder-free gloves is that there are no particles to slough onto the ESD workbench. Despite these benefits, it’s worth noting that powder-free gloves generally have a shorter shelf life compared to their powdered counterparts as they lack the added protective barrier of powder. Good housekeeping rules, such as regular stock rotation, can ensure that gloves are used within their expiration. Old gloves can lose dissipative characteristics and other physical properties such as tensile strength.

Proper Storage Enhances Shelf Life
The longevity and effectiveness of nitrile gloves depend heavily on proper storage. Ideal conditions can extend the shelf life and maintain the material’s protective properties.

Store gloves in a cool environment away from direct sunlight or fluorescent lighting. The ideal storage and usage temperatures are between 10°C (50°F) and 25°C (72°F). Avoid temperatures exceeding 30°C (90°F) or cold conditions below 5°C (41°F). Extreme temperatures may cause gloves to stiffen and become brittle, posing a risk of tearing, penetration or breakage. For extreme cold, consider using specialized cryogenic nitrile gloves.

Proper storage becomes even more critical to maximize usability. When storing, ensure the area is dry and well-ventilated as dust and moisture may accelerate glove degradation. Storing in the original packaging will also minimize environmental damage.

Compliance and Testing Standards
While nitrile is naturally dissipative, not all nitrile gloves are designed for electrostatic-protected areas (EPAs). For companies adhering to the ANSI/ESD S20.20 standard, employees wearing wrist straps are required to have a system threshold of 3.5 × 10⁷ ohms (35 megaohms) when testing according to ANSI/ESD S1.1. Although S20.20 does not specify STM 15.1, it is standard practice to evaluate compliance using the CAFÉ method. ACL Staticide uses a third-party lab to test and confirm that ACL Staticide Nitrile Gloves are static dissipative and compatible with a grounding cord and wrist strap system. ACL Staticide recommends that the grounding system be equipped with a built-in one-megohm resistor, such as any of the ACL wriststrap kits like Product #8155 or Product #8157.

Aside from assessing the glove for ESD protection, regular inspection of the physical properties of the nitrile gloves is essential to ensure safety standards. Look for the following signs of wear or degradation, such as

• Surface cracks or breaks
• Loss of elasticity
• Stiffness or brittleness

Gloves showing these issues should be discarded immediately, as they are compromised and can no longer provide reliable protection.

Properly using and storing nitrile gloves helps to maintain their protective properties and extend their lifespan. By adhering to these guidelines and regularly inspecting gloves for damage, you can ensure safety and compliance in your workplace. For more information on the advantages of using nitrile gloves, see our other blog post on the Benefits of ESD Nitrile Gloves and Finger Cots.

This entry was posted in ESD Wearables | ACL Staticide. Bookmark the permalink.