Are latex gloves environmental friendly? Although you cannot recycle them, at least they are biodegradable and it also depends on the chemicals used during the process of powdered latex gloves production.

As someone who prefers environment-friendly products. The first thing you ask iswhether the products you are using are recyclable or biodegradable or not. 

Let’s dig deeper into the subject and understand how latex gloves are made.

The initial documented utilization of latex Gloves goes back before these Gloves appeared to be manufactured. In 1883, a surgeon at John Hopkins hospital wanted to find a way to safeguard his nurse’s hands. So, he requested the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company when they might make a rubber glove that may withstand certain chemicals. Goodyear could create the product, also it was effective.

It had not been until the year after these original Latex Gloves grew to become a part of daily use at John Hopkins, along with other hospitals started taking notice too. However, during the beginning of production, users thought it was tough to obtain the Gloves completely onto their hands. To resolve this issue, a kind of ground moss was combined with talcum powder as a lubricant for that glove. But, following a couple of years, it had been learned that the floor moss was poisonous to humans! Then, just talc powder was utilized alone as a lubricant for more than 4 decades. But, once more, its dangerous effects were found, and also, since 1945, corn starch continues to be the lubricant preferred by latex Gloves.

The initial disposable latex Gloves were produced in 1964 with a company known as Ansell around Australia. And, surprisingly, the manufacturing process was modeled following the process employed for male contraceptives. Because this time, latex Gloves have exploded in recognition, and manufacturing and production have maintained a stable rate up to today.

Latex is really present in nature within 10% of flowering plants, and many generally in rubber trees It’s a milky liquid that comes from the tree once the outer bark is shaved off, and also the tree naturally oozes the liquid. Often the milky substance that’s harvested is white-colored, but could be yellow, orange, or perhaps red. Anyway, the word “latex” describes this milky substance.

This latex from nature will be manufactured into natural rubber. This rubber consequently, can be used to create a number of commercial goods, including latex Gloves. The primary distinction between the latex present in nature and natural rubber utilized in production may be the chemical substances put into the latex during manufacturing. These added chemicals basically boost the reliability of the Gloves making the merchandise appropriate to be used as a glove.

The liquid latex that’s combined with strengthening chemicals is the beginning of the development process. Hands-formed form (different in shape and size) will be dipped into this heated latex solution and permitted to dry and harden. After Powdered Latex Gloves have dried and hardened around the form it is going via a rinsing process which will help to eliminate any remaining chemical or undesirable protein residue. After rinsing, the glove is taken away in the form and able to be packed and shipped.

There are different types of gloves available in the market and they all pose a certain degree of danger to the environment. The demand for gloves have also increased significantly due to the pandemic.  But it all comes down to one thing – how you dispose off the gloves? Be mindful of the usage and dispose it safely so that it doesn’t harm the nature. 

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