Hourglass International Statement on COVID-19 and HandPRO® Glove Testing
We are committed to helping healthcare workers protect themselves from infectious diseases such as COVID-19.
While there are no glove or PPE tests specific to coronavirus, there are some established tests that demonstrate protection from viruses and blood-borne pathogens.
All HandPRO® Exam Gloves meet or exceed FDA and ASTM guidelines for disposable medical gloves.
HandPRO® Nitrile Exam Gloves specifically conform to ASTM D6319 Standard Specification for Nitrile Examination Gloves for Medical Application. This ASTM standard includes several tests that ensure the glove is suitable for rigorous medical use.
One of these tests is ASTM D5151, Standard Test Method for Detection of Holes in Medical Gloves, often referred to as the “watertight test.” The current FDA maximum acceptable quality level (AQL) allowable for examination gloves is 2.5%. HandPRO® Exam Gloves, however, are manufactured and tested to meet the more stringent AQL of 1.5% required for surgical gloves. This means higher quality and fewer pinholes.
To establish protection from viruses, ASTM F1671 Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System is used. This is a pass or fail test, designed to demonstrate whether the material can protect a wearer from viruses transmitted via blood and body fluids, such as Hepatitis B and C and HIV. The test virus is 25-27 nm. Coronavirus is 125 nm.
HandPRO® Exam Gloves with an
ASTM D5151 AQL of 1.5 and that Pass ASTM F1671 for Protection from Viruses
AirSoft900™ Nitrile Exam Gloves
Fortis500™ Extended Cuff Black Nitrile Exam Gloves
FreeStyle1100™ Nitrile Exam Gloves with Low Dermatitis Potential
RoyalTouch300™ Nitrile Exam Gloves
Scion700™ Nitrile Exam Gloves with Low Dermatitis Potential
HandPRO® 400 Latex Exam Gloves
If you would like to request a sample pack of any of our gloves for evaluation, please fill out the sample request form on the associated product page using the links above. If you require sample boxes for a multi-user evaluation, or if you have questions, please contact us.
