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Helpful Information
Lifewear's extensive line of latex and synthetic exam gloves and surgical gloves, as well as our full line of single use protective apparel and cleansing wipes, are widely used for different functions in many industries. From medical and dental offices, hospitals, childcare facilities to machining plants, laboratories, ambulances or food handling businesses, you can be confident that Lifewear's products will protect your employees, customers, patients and products.
Lifewear features a wide range of latex and synthetic extra protective surgical and exam gloves suitable for many industries. Lifewear's surgical and exam gloves can be used in both medical and non-medical applications. A better understanding of the glove manufacturing process, safety standards and latex allergies can help you choose the right glove for your specific needs.
What are the industry standards that our products comply with? Lifewear's products comply with the requirements of the following U.S. Agencies: ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials), ADA (American Dental Association), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency), NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) and OSHA (Occupation Safety and Health Administration). The compliance to these strict standards ensure the reliability and overall high quality of Lifewear's products.
What does "ISO 9001 certified" mean? The International Organization of Standardization (ISO) is a worldwide organization that develops many different kinds of quality management standards. ISO 9001 is a series of documents that define the requirements for the Quality Management System Standard. If a business is ISO 9001certified, it assures the customer that the company has a good Quality Management System in place, ensuring that the products and services of that company meet and exceed customer expectations.
What is AQL? AQL stands for Acceptable Quality Levels and refers to the barrier protection of gloves. Gloves with a lower AQL will have fewer barrier defects. Worldwide standards specify an AQL of 1.5 in surgical gloves and 2.5 in exam gloves. When purchasing gloves for higher risk situations, AQL should definitely factor in to your glove selection, as it is a key indicator of the barrier protection of the product.
What is the chlorination process in glove manufacturing? Chlorination is a manufacturing process that involves the use of chlorine, ammonia, water and other chemicals to remove the powder on the glove surface. Extra washing during the chlorination process further reduces the level of soluble latex protein on the glove. Lifewear's gloves go through a single chlorination process leaving a smooth interior for easy donability, yet maintain a "tacky", non-slip exterior for better grip and instrument handling.
What are latex allergies and other skin reactions to latex? There are three types of reactions that can occur in people using latex products. These conditions are Irritant Contact Dermatitis, Chemical Sensitivity Dermatitis and Latex Allergy. The most common reaction is Irritant Contact Dermatitis. The symptoms of Irritant Contact Dermatitis are dry, itchy and irritated areas on the hands caused by skin irritation from frequent use of gloves, repeated hand washing and exposure to cleaners and sanitizers. This condition is not a true allergy. Chemical Sensitivity Dermatitis is a condition resulting from exposure to chemicals that were added to the latex during the time of manufacture. The symptom of Chemical Sensitivity Dermatitis is a rash that usually begins 24 - 48 hours after contact that could result in blisters. Latex allergy is a reaction to the proteins found in latex. The proteins responsible for latex allergies have been proven to fasten to the powder that is used in some latex gloves. The powder in the glove does not cause the allergic reaction, but the protein that attaches itself to the powder does. The varied symptoms of latex allergies include skin redness, hives, itching, or more serious reactions such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, difficulty breathing, coughing or wheezing.
How can you protect yourself from latex allergies? The best way to protect yourself from latex allergies or skin reactions to latex is to use non-latex gloves. However, if a higher level of barrier protection is needed and latex gloves are chosen, it is best to use a low protein, powder free glove. Additionally, workers should take advantage of education programs and training materials on latex allergy available at their workplace. Learning and looking for the symptoms of latex allergies is also essential for protection. |
