Protective Laboratory Gloves

Laboratory gloves are used to protect against exposure to hazardous materials. Typical lab gloves are made from natural rubber (latex), or from synthetic variants on rubber such as nitrile or neoprene.

Rate of reactivity dictates how long a glove is able to maintain its integrity when exposed to a chemical. Breakthrough times, the time required for a particular chemical to cause the the glove material to break down, varies dramatically depending on the glove material. Please note that breakthrough times can also vary between different brands or models of gloves, often due to differences in manufacturing techniques or slight material variation.

Breakthrough detection time (BDT) refers to the time required to permeate a given glove, measured in minutes. Permeation rate after breakthrough is factored into the Chemical Protective Clothing (CPC) rating. A CPC rating of 0 indicates excellent chemical resistance over a long period. A CPC rating of 5 indicates very poor, potentially dangerous resistance to a chemical, with high chemical permeation rate after breakthrough [Forsberg and Keith, 1989].

From VWR Catalog, 2000/2001, VWR Scientific Products, as provided by Best Manufacturing:

Chemical Resistance Chart

ASTM Breakthrough Times and CPC Rating Page #1
ASTM F739-91 Normalized Breakthrough In Minutes and CPC Ratings for Best Gloves

Explanation of Ratings
Breakthrough detection times (BDT) are given in minutes. CPC Index ratings are based on the system of Forsberg which relies on both breakthrough times and permeation rates to establish a rating system for chemical protective clothing. The ratings range from 0 to 5 with 0 being the best and 5 the worst.

Chemical Protective Clothing Performance Index Rating Summary (CPC)
0 Safest Selection for Unlimited Exposure. No Breakthrough.
1 Next Best Selection for Unlimited Exposure.
2 Sometimes Satisfactory. Good for Limited Exposure.
3 Poor Choice. Not for Heavy Exposure.
4 Very Poor. For Splashes Only.
5 Not Recommended.

ASTM Breakthrough Times and CPC Rating Page #2
ASTM F739-91 Normalized Breakthrough In Minutes and CPC Rating for Best Gloves

The preceding table is taken from the VWR Catalog, 2000/2001, published by VWR Scientific Products. The published data were based on results provided to VWR by Best Manufacturing, based on experimental testing conducted in accordance with testing standard ASTM F739-91, established by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). More information on CPC ratings can be found in the Chemical Protective Clothing Performance Index Book, written by K. Forsberg and L.H. Keith (Wiley, Toronto, 1989). Note that the results shown in the table were for gloves by one particular manufacturer, Best Gloves. As such, the data should be used as a guideline only, and where possible, the appropriateness of alternative brands should be verified prior to use with a particular chemical.

In the table, the acronym "ND" is assumed to indicate that "no damage" was observed to the glove during the testing period. The acronym "NR" is assumed to indicate "no resistance" to the chemical tested.

If transferring gloves from their original packaging to a new container, please indicate glove-type on the new container. This should help prevent confusion regarding glove resistance.