Latex

How Latex and Oil Prices Are Affecting Latex Glove Prices

The rising cost of latex and oil prices are stretching the price of latex gloves, increasing the cost of hand protection in the workplace.

Natural rubber latex prices have gone sky-high, jumping more than 80 percent since June 2005, according to the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers' Association (MARGMA). Bulk latex costs about $1.48 a kilogram.

The surge in latex prices is mainly due to Mother Nature. Drenching monsoon rains have wreaked havoc on rubber plantations in southern Thailand and Malaysia, two of the world's biggest producers of rubber. Approximately 60 percent of all rubber gloves used worldwide is produced by Malaysia. And rubber latex-a key raw material in rubber gloves-accounts for more than half of the production cost of latex gloves.

Use of Latex Gloves by U.S. Postal Workers

Latex gloves can provide a vital line of defense for mail handlers facing the threat of B. anthracis spores and other workplace hazards. As part of its tough protective measures, the U.S. Postal Service has made hand protection, such as latex gloves, standard safety equipment. In fact, the Postal Service purchases millions of pairs of disposable exam gloves for employees to use. Postal workers go through as many as four to five pairs of latex gloves a day handling envelopes, boxes and other packages.

Managing Latex-Sensitive Workers

Latex allergy and sensitivity are significant problems facing workers in all types of work place settings. Up to 6 percent of the general population is allergic to natural rubber latex (NRL). And latex material causes allergic sensitization in 5 percent to 17 percent of exposed health care workers, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.

Many people are completely unaware of the potential harmful effect of latex. Allergic reactions can be caused by direct contact , such as by using latex gloves, or by inhaling latex allergens. Reactions can affect the skin, eyes, mouth, nose, lungs and heart, with symptoms ranging from rashes to abdominal pain.

Natural Rubber Latex

Natural rubber latex gloves are made from the rubber tree, Hevea Brasiliensis, which originated from Brazil. The seeds of the tree were exported to England in 1876 and germinated at Kew Gardens in London. It was named "rubber" by the British chemist Joseph Priestly, who noticed that it could be used to rub away pencil marks.

The rubber plant only thrives in hot, damp regions near the equator. Brazil, no longer plays any significant part in the world natural rubber trade. Currently, 90 percent of true rubber production takes place in the Southeast Asian countries of Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. In recent years, Indonesia's production has dropped and new plantations have been started in Africa.

Using Powder-Free Latex Gloves

Dusting powder is an important component in many finished

disposable glove products. But because of the adverse health effects it can cause, work environments are increasingly going powder-free.

Powder performs as a lubricant, making it easy to don and remove latex gloves. It also keeps the gloves from sticking together inside the box for easier dispensing. Plus, powder helps prevent decay so latex gloves will last longer.

Latex Gloves Testing

Natural rubber latex gloves consistently outperform other glove types in a number of ways, according to testing conducted by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

The ASTM develops and provides many voluntary standards that glove manufacturers can elect to follow. These standards help manufacturers demonstrate their products’ performance in a variety of areas such as:

Viral penetration: Measures the glove’s ability to resist penetration by liquid containing a particular virus
Strength: Evaluates the amount of force a glove can withstand before breaking.
Thickness: Measures the thickness of a glove at specific locations, which is important for barrier protection and durability.
Water leak: Assesses the glove’s ability to hold a specified amount of water while maintaining acceptable quality levels.