Polyisoprene and Sensitive Neoprene Single-Use Gloves Target Life Sciences Market

Ansell has launched four single-use gloves for the EMEA life sciences industry. The ultra-thin TouchNTuff 73-300 and 73-500 sensitive Neoprene gloves offer protection against both Type I and Type IV allergies and are intended for biotech, sterile pharmaceutical laboratories and medical device manufacturing. The premium, latex-feel TouchNTuff 83-300, the company’s first industrial polyisoprene glove, was developed for use in aseptic or clean environments. It also exists in a sterile version, the TouchNTuff 83-500.

As workers in life sciences wear gloves all day, the composition of their gloves can actively contribute to the onset of allergies. “Our concern for protecting workers from the onset of dermatitis and occupational allergies is not limited to healthcare professionals,” said Peter Dobbelsteijn, Senior Vice President and Regional Director for the Ansell EMEA region. “Ansell is proud to present its best disposable protection yet for workers in aseptic and clean environments within life sciences.”

The new TouchNTuff 73-300 (and sterile 73-500) glove is a thin, single-use glove offering best-in-class protection against both Type I and Type IV allergies. Latex-, accelerator- and powder-free, it offers excellent splash resistance to a broad range of chemicals including acids, bases, alcohol and disinfectant components. The thinnest Neoprene glove on the industrial market at 0.13 mm, TouchNTuff 73-300/500 is as resistant to punctures as a surgical glove (AQL of 1.00 in needle prick test). Thanks to expertise gained in formulating Ansell Medical SENSOPRENE, it was possible to make Neoprene gloves 30% thinner. This results in high sensitivity, superior fit and softness in single or double gloving.

Ansell’s first industrial polyisoprene glove, the TouchNTuff 83-300/500, has a 100% synthetic formulation safe for latex-sensitive (Type I) manufacturing and laboratory professionals. The premium, latex-like TouchNTuff 83-300 is a non-sterile version of the TouchNTuff 83-500 sterile polyisoprene single use glove launched earlier this year. Remarkably thin at only 0.21 mm, they are more flexible than Neoprene. Their exceptional tactility, comfort and puncture resistance combined with a low particulate count makes them suitable for use in an ISO Class 5 environment or higher. The TouchNTuff 83-300/500 offers good splash resistance for a variety of applications in bio-technology, pharmaceuticals, medical device manufacturing and laboratory analysis. Usable alone or in double-donning, they are available in separate polybags for right and left hands.

Both the TouchNTuff 73-300/500 and the 83-300/500 deliver a secure, ergonomic fit designed to reduce hand fatigue and increase adherence to safety protocols. An inner coating of synthetic polyurethane facilitates both dry and wet donning. The gloves successfully passed both skin irritation and sensitisation biocompatibility tests. Ideal for clean environments, their particle count is below 2,500 per cm². They are packed in a controlled environment, in cleanroom-compatible packaging material printed with IPA resistance ink. The Ansell SureFit Technology used in surgical gloves keeps the long beaded cuffs from rolling down, limiting accidental exposure.

Ansell Ltd, +1 732 345 2128, frank.mantero@ansell.com, www.ansell.eu.