Latex or natural rubber (NRL) is the substance obtained from the sap of the Hevea Brasiliense tree (Vaysse, et. al., 2012). During manufacturing, chemicals are added to render latex elastic and stable to heat by vulcanisation (i.e. heating in the presence of sulphur). Further chemicals, commonly known as chemical accelerators, are added for strength and durability, including mercaptobenzothiazole, thiurams and carbamates. Sometimes a dry powder lubricant (usually corn-starch), is added to the surface of the latex to prevent the rubber surfaces from sticking together.
Its soft and stretchy properties make it an ideal material to provide a proper fitting to any palm shape and size. NRL offers a degree of resistance to tearing and has shown to self-seal small punctures. They also boast strong elastic properties, offering reliable performance and barrier protection against infection and contamination.
Often the primary reason to consider an alternative to the traditional latex glove is the potential for people to be allergic to the latex proteins found in the glove. In the worst-case scenario, a person susceptible to a Type 1 allergy can experience an anaphylactic seizure.
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