Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

An Antimicrobial Fabric Using Nano-Herbal Encapsulation of Essential Oils
Published on: April 7, 2023
[Latex and synthetic polymers gloves: protective effectiveness against biological risk]
1Azienda Ospedaliera Spedali Civili di Brescia, Servizio di Medicina del Lavoro, Brescia. larabalbiani@virgilio.it
Background:
The quick evolution of knowledge about latex and, especially, its effectiveness as protection against biological risks on one hand, and, on the other hand, as trigger of cutaneous, respiratory and sistemic allergic diseases, required a marked distinction between conditions in which latex is necessary and conditions in which latex could be substituted by syntetic polymers.
Objectives:
The aim of this study is to verify protective effectiveness of gloves made of syntetic polymers against biological risks compared with latex gloves which until now have been considered as the best protection.
Methods:
Literature review.
Results:
The most recent studies seem to consider neoprene gloves as the safest protection to replace latex in working activities with high biological risk exposure.
Conclusion:
The literature review marked the lack of studies exclusively focused on glove permeability towards biological agents. It seems therefore necessary to investigate this topic to validate results and to guarantee a suitable protection to workers daily exposed to biological risk.
Related Concept Videos
Classification and Mechanical Properties of Synthetic Polymers
Personal Protective Equipment
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings II: Doffing
PPE Use in Healthcare Settings I: Donning
Transmission-based Precautions II: Airborne and Protective Environment
Airborne precautions:
Use airborne precautions when treating patients known or suspected to have diseases that spread through the air—for example, tuberculosis or measles. These organisms are present in smaller droplets expelled by an infected person and...
Polymers

