As of December 19, 2016 the FDA has put forth a ban on all powdered examination and surgeon gloves for medical use in the United States. This ban will be put into effect beginning on January 18, 2017. Continue reading to find out more information about this new regulation from the FDA.
This ban focuses on three main items found in the glove market: powdered surgeon’s gloves, powdered patient examination gloves, and absorbable powder meant for lubricating a surgeon’s glove. Any product that falls under any of these categories must be removed from the market by January 18th 2017.
This ban, however, does not apply to industrial applications that do not require medical grade exam gloves. Any application that requires the use of medical grade exam gloves who has nitrile, vinyl, or latex powdered gloves must switch to powder free option 30 days from the initial FDA ruling on 12/19/2016.
In the medical industry gloves serve as the main line of defense for nurses, doctors, and dentists against any transmittable diseases or bodily fluids. The powder in these gloves, which makes it much easier to don gloves, actually poses risks to the patients who are placed in contact with these gloves. The FDA found that for both patients and health care workers, the powder poses threats including granulomas, inflammation, and respiratory allergic reactions. After completing their research, the FDA concluded that these risks created by powdered gloves are unreasonable and substantial, outweighing the benefits, justifying their ban of powdered gloves.
There are many other alternatives to powdered exam gloves, which the FDA took into consideration when deciding on this ban. With the other options, there will be little to no economic effect on the market, and consumers will still be able to find the protection they need.
If you have any powdered exam gloves in your inventory, be sure to use them up or dispose of them before January 18, 2017 otherwise you’ll be in violation of the FDA. Your Glove Source has many powder-free gloves that would make excellent alternative to powdered exam gloves.
