[Disposable gloves for use in medicine, quality requirements--quality control]

The general fear of catching HIV infection during surgery, medical examination, patient care or emergency care has prompted a discussion and some research regarding the quality of throwaway gloves. Technical regulations regarding the demands to be made on most gloves made of latex that are packed individually and sterilised, is already in force, but this does not apply to other types of gloves used in medical care and offered in bulk packing; such gloves are usually made of vinyl, sometimes also of latex, and are not sterilised before sale. In the Federal Republic of Germany, however, official legislation is entirely lacking for both types of throwaway gloves. Among the test methods published so far, it seems that examination for liquid-proof density also ensures that no microorganisms bigger than 0.5 micron can penetrate. The article reports on relevant comparative studies.