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Nitrile Glove Guide
Why do nitrile disposable gloves come in so many colors?
Nitrile gloves are typically available in black, purple, or blue. Until recently, the color of a disposable glove indicated whether it was latex-free. Nitrile gloves were usually a shade of blue, while latex gloves were close to natural skin color — but not anymore. Now the color of disposable gloves is not indicative of their quality but rather their function.
Black nitrile gloves are usually preferred by law enforcement and postal workers, especially because it allows law enforcement to distinguish themselves from medical professionals during emergencies.
Orange nitric gloves are preferred by auto mechanics and other environments where a worker is in a dark space. The high-visibility orange color can help them see where their hands are and identify their location to other personnel.
In cleanrooms, contamination is a significant concern, and gloves are just as capable of spreading contaminants as anything. That’s why white cleanroom gloves are the industry standard; contamination is easier to spot visually, and the color serves as a constant reminder for workers to keep things clean. There are, however, some cases where blue is preferred to provide more contrast.
In laboratories, employees must always be vigilant about the possibility of transferring substances from one area of the lab to another, resulting in cross-contamination. Assigning different glove colors to different areas of the lab can help combat this, providing employees with a visual cue that reminds them not to carry their gloves to another more sensitive area of the lab.
