The origin of the latex glove is said to date back to around 1883 but it wasn’t until around 1894 that it was first developed and introduced as a useful aid by William Stewart Halstead, chief surgeon at the John Hopkins Hospital, to prevent damage to the skin of medical staff when handling chemicals. Because they are close fitting they offer more ‘feel’ and sensitivity when handling objects. Despite the fact that some people suffer allergic reactions to the latex as well as the obvious low level of protection against certain solvents or sharp objects, latex gloves are widely used throughout the world in a number of industries. Here, we take a look at some of the most widely used gloves, and the world’s industries that they’re a big part of.
Medicine and Veterinary
Latex gloves are widely used by doctors and nurses, as anyone who has had a blood sample taken will testify. The gloves are excellent for protecting any medical personnel against the risk of coming into contact with bodily fluids which may potentially be infectious. Because the gloves are sterile and disposable they are used one time only which means there is no chance of transmitting infection. Veterinarians will use them when examining animals which have oozing or infectious wounds to avoid transference of bacteria to work surfaces. Latex gloves are also widely used in the pharmaceutical research industry to keep conditions as sterile as possible and to give the user protection against chemicals like methanol and acetone.
Catering and Food Outlets
Most people who work in any aspect of the food industry, from the foodstuff producing factories, to shops and large supermarkets, to restaurants and cafés nowadays are taught and understand the need to avoid transferring bacteria on to food items being served to the general public. In this age of litigation it is necessary to be aware of the devastation which can follow from a potential outbreak of diseases like e-coli and salmonella and latex gloves are an essential tool in the fight against this. Many food safety courses across the globe promote the use of gloves in catering and food industries.
Hairdressing and Cosmetic Procedures
The hairdressing industry uses chemicals in colouring and perming hair, and latex gloves can give good protection against the dermatitis which can result for some stylists, a condition that can be incredibly painful and uncomfortable, not to mention visible. Practitioners offering cosmetic procedures like Botox injections, chemical peeling and hair removal will always use latex gloves to protect themselves and the customer by keeping the site as sterile and clean as possible.
Auto Technicians
The days are long gone when garage mechanics would go home at the end of a working day with their hands covered in oil and grease. Many now see the benefit of wearing latex gloves to protect them from the corrosive and malodorous effects of these substances and the after-effects of having hands which are difficult to get clean. An added bonus is that gloves can help to protect the customer’s car interior from dirt and oil, which would otherwise leave a permanent stain.
Crime Solving and Forensics
At a crime scene it is absolutely essential that police officers and forensic investigators wear latex gloves to avoid corrupting any evidence such as fingerprints or bodily fluids. Fresh sets of gloves can be used for each separate crime scene to avoid cross-contamination of evidence.
So there you have it – some great examples of the use of latex gloves in different industries. It’s not hard to see why the latex glove industry is booming, and whether you’re using the gloves yourself, or ordering for your company, it’s important to get the right supplier.
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