Chemical-resistant gloves are not optional PPE. They are the barrier between a worker’s skin and corrosive, toxic, or absorbable substances that can cause burns, irritation, or long-term health damage. OSHA’s hand protection standard (29 CFR 1910.138) requires employers to provide appropriate gloves wherever workers face chemical hazards, cuts, burns, or skin absorption risks.
This 2025 guide explains how chemical-resistant gloves work, the most common glove materials (nitrile, neoprene, PVC, butyl, Viton, latex), how to choose the right glove for your specific job, when to replace them, and how OSHA and ANSI/ISEA 105 apply.
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1. Why Chemical-Resistant Gloves Matter
Chemicals can injure in seconds. They don’t just burn skin — many substances can absorb directly through skin and enter the bloodstream. That means the wrong glove can lead to chemical burns, dermatitis, respiratory-like symptoms, or even organ damage.
OSHA’s standard for hand protection (29 CFR 1910.138) requires employers to select and require employees to use appropriate hand protection when they are exposed to hazards such as:
- Skin absorption of harmful substances
- Severe cuts or lacerations
- Severe abrasions or punctures
- Chemical burns or thermal burns
- Extreme temperatures
In other words, glove selection is not just an internal policy decision. It’s a compliance issue and a liability issue.
For OSHA’s official language on hand protection: OSHA 1910.138 – Hand Protection
2. How Chemical-Resistant Gloves Actually Work
Not all “chemical gloves” protect against all chemicals. The performance depends on how the glove material handles the specific substance. Three key concepts determine whether a glove is safe to use with a certain chemical:
a) Permeation
Permeation is the process of a chemical passing through a glove at the molecular level. Over time, even without visible holes, chemicals can migrate through the material. The critical number here is breakthrough time — how long it takes for the chemical to be detected on the inside of the glove.
b) Penetration
Penetration is when a chemical physically flows through holes, seams, or defects in the glove. Even a tiny pinhole is a point of failure.
c) Degradation
Degradation is the physical change to a glove when exposed to a chemical (swelling, cracking, stiffness, softening, melting). Degraded gloves lose their protective ability, grip, and tear strength.
The current U.S. test standard for chemical and mechanical performance is ANSI/ISEA 105-2020. Manufacturers use this standard to rate gloves for things like cut resistance, puncture resistance, abrasion resistance, and chemical resistance.
3. The Most Common Chemical-Resistant Glove Materials
Different materials resist different chemical families. There is no single “best” glove for all chemicals. You must match glove material to the task and the substance in use.
Nitrile Gloves
Best for: Oils, greases, solvents, fuels, and many acids and caustics.
Not ideal for: Strong oxidizing acids and some ketones.
Why nitrile?
- Excellent resistance to petroleum products, oils, and many common shop chemicals
- Stronger puncture resistance than latex
- Available in both disposable and reusable/industrial grades
- Good tactile sensitivity and dexterity, even in thinner mil thicknesses
Common applications: Automotive work, cleaning and sanitation, light industrial chemical handling, lab work, maintenance tasks.
Find nitrile options here:
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Neoprene Gloves
Best for: Acids, oils, greases, alcohols, some caustics.
Not ideal for: Certain hydrocarbons and aromatic solvents.
Why neoprene?
- Good chemical resistance against many acids and oils
- Remains flexible in cooler environments
- Comfortable and allows decent dexterity
- Often used in cleaning, petrochemical work, and general industrial maintenance
These are a common upgrade from “generic rubber gloves” for teams dealing with cleaning agents, degreasers, or moderate chemical splash.
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Gloves
Best for: Acids, fats, peroxides, and many water-based chemicals.
Not ideal for: Certain organic solvents and ketones.
Why PVC?
- Good abrasion resistance and grip in wet or oily conditions
- Often available in gauntlet or extended-cuff form for forearm protection
- Cost-effective for frequent use in harsh, wet environments
Common applications: Food processing, marine work, sanitation crews, certain construction cleanup tasks, wastewater handling.
Butyl Rubber Gloves
Best for: Ketones, esters, strong mineral acids (sulfuric, nitric), and even some dangerous gases.
Not ideal for: Aliphatic hydrocarbons and certain fuels.
Why butyl?
- Extremely low permeation rate for many aggressive chemicals
- Excellent protection against highly corrosive and highly toxic substances
- Resists gas and vapor penetration better than most other common glove materials
Common applications: Hazardous material (HAZMAT) response, chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical and biotech, lab spill response, military CBRN operations.
Butyl gloves are often mandatory where you’re dealing with particularly dangerous industrial chemicals, not just routine cleaning products.
Viton Gloves
Best for: Aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, and highly corrosive specialty chemicals.
Not ideal for: Ketones and many esters.
Why Viton?
- Exceptional resistance to extremely aggressive solvents that quickly destroy other glove types
- High-temperature and high-chemical stability in certain specialty environments
- Used when standard gloves melt, swell, or soften in seconds
Common applications: Aerospace, specialty coatings, electronic manufacturing, advanced chemical processing.
Note: Viton gloves are higher cost, but in certain operations they’re the only safe option.
Latex Gloves
Best for: Mild acids, biological materials, bodily fluids.
Not ideal for: Oils, fuels, strong organic solvents, petroleum products.
Why latex?
- Excellent flexibility and dexterity
- Good barrier for biological hazards and some light chemical splash
- Widely used in healthcare, janitorial, light cleaning
Warning: Latex can trigger allergic reactions in some workers. Many teams switch to nitrile for that reason.
4. Quick Comparison: Which Material Solves Which Problem?
| Glove Material | Best Protection Against | Dexterity | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrile | Oils, fuels, greases, many solvents | High | Automotive, labs, sanitation, light industrial |
| Neoprene | Acids, oils, alcohols, caustics | High | Cleaning chemicals, petrochem, maintenance |
| PVC | Acids, fats, many water-based chemicals | Moderate | Food processing, marine, wastewater |
| Butyl | Ketones, esters, strong mineral acids | Medium | Hazmat, chemical manufacturing, pharma |
| Viton | Aromatic/chlorinated solvents, specialty chemicals | Lower | Aerospace, electronics, high-risk chemical exposure |
| Latex | Biological hazards, mild acids | High | Healthcare, janitorial, general cleaning |
5. How to Choose the Right Chemical-Resistant Glove
To pick the correct glove, follow this process:
Step 1: Identify the Chemical
Look at the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for each substance involved. The SDS typically includes recommended glove types and breakthrough data. Never guess — xylene and acetone, for example, require different materials.
Step 2: Define Exposure Type
- Incidental contact / splash only: Disposable nitrile or neoprene may be enough.
- Extended immersion or handling containers: You probably need a thicker reusable glove like PVC, butyl, or Viton.
Step 3: Check ANSI/ISEA 105-2020 Ratings
ANSI/ISEA 105 rates performance in categories like chemical degradation, puncture resistance, and abrasion resistance. For higher-risk chemicals, look for documented performance data — not just marketing language like “chemical glove.”
Step 4: Consider Grip, Dexterity, and Comfort
If a glove is too stiff or bulky, workers will remove it — and that’s when exposure happens. In high-precision tasks, nitrile or neoprene might be preferable to thicker butyl, even if butyl has longer breakthrough time.
Step 5: Train the Team
OSHA requires not just issuing PPE, but training employees on when and how to use it. Make sure workers know:
- Which glove is for which chemical
- When to change gloves
- How to remove gloves without contaminating their skin
Stock and rotate approved gloves:
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6. When to Replace Chemical-Resistant Gloves
Chemical gloves do not last forever. Replace immediately if you see:
- Swelling, softening, or “gummy” texture
- Cracks, pinholes, brittleness, or flaking
- Loss of grip texture or coating
- Discoloration after contact with a chemical
- Odor changes from chemical absorption
Disposable nitrile gloves: These are single-use. Once contaminated, remove and dispose of them. Never “wash and reuse.”
Reusable gloves (butyl, neoprene, PVC, etc.): Rinse or decontaminate following the manufacturer’s instructions, allow to dry, and inspect before next use. If in doubt, replace.
7. Critical Best Practices for Chemical Glove Safety
- Always inspect before use. Glove failure in a chemical environment can escalate fast.
- Use the correct thickness. Thin gloves = dexterity, thick gloves = endurance.
- Never cross-contaminate. Don’t pump fuel, then handle food or touch your face with the same gloves.
- Wash hands after glove removal. You may have invisible residue on your skin.
- Store in a cool, dry place. Heat and UV accelerate material breakdown.
People Also Ask (FAQ)
1. Which glove material is best for handling strong acids?
Butyl rubber gloves and some neoprene gloves are commonly used for strong mineral acids like sulfuric and nitric acid because they resist permeation and degradation better than standard disposable gloves.
2. Are nitrile gloves considered chemical-resistant?
Yes. Nitrile gloves provide excellent resistance to oils, fuels, greases, and many common solvents. They’re widely used in automotive, lab, cleaning, and light industrial chemical handling. Heavier-gauge nitrile offers even more durability.
3. Can I reuse disposable gloves if they “look fine”?
No. Disposable gloves — including disposable nitrile — are single-use. Once contaminated or removed, they should be discarded to avoid cross-contamination or breakthrough risk.
4. What standard tells me if a glove is chemical-rated?
ANSI/ISEA 105-2020 is the current U.S. standard for rating gloves for cut, puncture, abrasion, and chemical resistance. You should select gloves with documented performance data, not assumptions.
5. How often should chemical gloves be replaced?
Disposable gloves: after each exposure or task. Reusable gloves: as soon as there are signs of damage, swelling, stiffness, or coating breakdown, or if breakthrough time has been reached for the chemical in use.
Author Bio
Mick Chan is a Safety Supplies industry professional with over 15 years of hands-on experience. He specializes in OSHA compliance, PPE regulations, and bulk safety product procurement for high-risk industries. Mick earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Cal State LA in 2013 and has been advising companies across California ever since. Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, he understands the safety needs of businesses in diverse urban and industrial environments. His work focuses on bridging safety compliance with practical product solutions for the modern workplace.