Glove material	Intended use	Advantages and disadvantages
Latex (natural rubber)	Incidental contact	Good for biological and water-based materials Poor for organic solvents Little chemical protection Hard to detect puncture holes Can cause or trigger latex allergies
Nitrile	Incidental contact	Good for solvents, oils, greases, and some acids and bases Clear indication of tears and breaks Good alternative for those with latex allergies
Butyl rubber	Extended contact	Good for ketones and esters Poor for gasoline and aliphatic, aromatic, and halogenated hydrocarbons
Neoprene	Extended contact	Good for acids, bases, alcohols, fuels, peroxides, hydrocarbons, and phenols Poor for halogenated and aromatic hydrocarbons
Norfoil	Extended contact	Good for most hazardous chemicals Poor fit (Note: Dexterity can be partially regained by using a heavier weight Nitrile glove over the Norfoil glove. Also, 4H brand gloves tend to provide better dexterity than the Silver Shield brand.)
Viton	Extended contact	Good for chlorinated and aromatic solvents Good resistance to cuts and abrasions Poor for ketones
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)	Specific use	Good for acids, bases, oils, fats, peroxides, and amines Good resistance to abrasions Poor for most organic solvents
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)	Specific use	Good for aromatic and chlorinated solvents Poor for water-based solutions

For more glove selection charts, see Additional Resources for Glove Selection.

Questions about glove selection?

• If you are a research employee, contact an EH&S Research Assistance Program specialist.
• If you are a non-research employee, contact an EH&S industrial hygienist, (858) 534-1075.