While much of the recent focus for PPE has understandably been on clinical products, we know that gloves are essential for hygiene and safety across a wide range of industries.
Why Work Gloves Need Protection
When it comes to the current coronavirus pandemic we now understand that SARS-CoV-2 is able to survive on hard surfaces between hours and days. In industries where glove wearing is commonplace, gloves can therefore act as a fomite, increasing the risk of transmission and becoming a hazard in themselves.
However, if the gloves are effectively treated with antimicrobial additives at the point of manufacture, they can provide additional protection to the wearer as well as reducing or eliminating transmission between surfaces. They have the potential within certain industries to protect workers and to reduce the risk of outbreaks occurring.
From polythene non-sterile gloves to household gloves to heavy-duty industrial and work gloves, there are a wide range of polymers and textiles that can be treated with antimicrobial additives such as Sanitized® at the point of manufacture.
The success story of Midas Safety proves, that the antimicrobial protection of work gloves pays off. Midas Safety relays on Sanitized® hygine function and material protection for decades. Learn more about this partership in the Interview with Thomas Fuhrmann, Sales Support Manager Europe:
Inhibiting Coronavirus Through Sanitized® Additives
SANITIZED manufactures a range of antimicrobials for inclusion in polymer and fabric applications. Inclusion of these additives, even at low levels, can provide your products with antimicrobial efficacy against a wide range of microbes, including viruses.
In June 2020, independent lab testing confirmed that a range of Sanitized® treated articles tested were effective against coronavirus. This opens up the possibility of treating work gloves and other items of PPE with Sanitized® to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2*.
Read more about the results of this independent testing, and learn how Sanitized® antimicrobial additives interact with viruses and other microbes, in our new Guide To Antimicrobial Gloves.
Treating Your Work Gloves
There are a variety of Sanitized® antimicrobial additives that can be added at low levels during the manufacturing process. These additives provide broad spectrum efficacy against microbes so – while antiviral efficacy may be a top priority at this time – there are many other benefits to using Sanitized® in your gloves, including odor absorption and preservation.
Our team can offer you a consultation to help determine the best additive and inclusion level for your specific requirements. We are also happy to assist you in regulatory affairs and testing, including independent testing should you wish to claim specific microbial efficacy.
Find out more about antimicrobial additives for gloves in our new Guide To Antimicrobial Gloves.
*The viral efficacy was confirmed in various polymer carriers, but we will stress that every specific product application should be lab tested before confirming efficacy against a similar coronavirus, if not SARS-CoV-2 itself should you want to claim antiviral efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.
