Medical and examination gloves historically contained a fine powder, a practice that is now largely obsolete due to serious health consequences. Powdered gloves were standard for decades across healthcare settings because they made the gloves easier to use. The powder was initially talcum powder, but manufacturers transitioned to a modified cornstarch powder in the mid-20th century, believing it was less irritating than talc. This shift did not eliminate the risks associated with introducing fine particulate matter into sterile environments.
The Functional Role of Glove Powder
The primary reason for incorporating powder was to act as a lubricant, making the process of putting the glove on, known as donning, significantly easier and faster. Medical professionals frequently change gloves and benefited from the powder’s ability to reduce friction against damp or dry skin. Cornstarch powder was favored because its ability to absorb moisture further aided the quick slip-on process.
Powder also served a function in manufacturing by preventing the glove material from sticking to itself, a phenomenon called “blocking” or “tackiness.” Without powder, the gloves would be difficult to separate and package after they were formed and dried. The powder kept the interior and exterior surfaces from adhering during storage, ensuring the product was usable when removed from the dispenser box.
Significant Health and Safety Concerns
Despite the functional benefits, the powder introduced substantial risks, especially when it became aerosolized. The most publicized danger related to powdered natural rubber latex gloves, where cornstarch served as a carrier for allergenic latex proteins. These proteins, responsible for Type I, IgE-mediated latex allergy, would bind to the microscopic powder particles.
When a healthcare worker removed or snapped on a powdered glove, the powder-protein complex became airborne and inhaled by the wearer and the patient. This aerosolization increased the risk of developing a latex allergy or triggering severe allergic reactions, including rhinitis, asthma, and anaphylactic shock, in sensitized individuals. This process contaminated the surrounding air, putting non-users at risk.
Another major concern, particularly in surgical settings, was the introduction of the powder into the internal body cavity. Although cornstarch is a food derivative, its particles act as a foreign body when they enter a surgical wound or abdominal cavity. This exposure triggers an inflammatory response that leads to the formation of granulomas, which are small areas of inflammation, and postoperative adhesions.
Adhesions are bands of fibrous scar tissue that form between internal organs and tissues, potentially causing long-term complications like chronic pain and bowel obstruction. The powder was also implicated in delayed wound healing and general wound inflammation. The presence of even small amounts of powder presented an unreasonable risk to patients undergoing invasive procedures.
The Shift to Powder-Free Alternatives
The accumulation of scientific evidence detailing the health hazards of powdered gloves eventually led to regulatory action. In 2017, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a ban on powdered surgical gloves, powdered patient examination gloves, and the absorbable powder used for lubrication. This regulatory move established a clear safety standard by removing these products from the medical marketplace.
The ban was possible because manufacturers had already developed effective alternatives to the powder lubricant. Modern gloves employ advanced finishing techniques that reduce the material’s natural tackiness and facilitate donning without cornstarch. The first is chlorination, a process where the gloves are washed in a chlorine solution to harden and smooth the rubber surface.
Another element is the application of a polymer coating, such as silicone or polyurethane, to the interior surface of the glove. This thin, smooth layer acts as a permanent internal lubricant, allowing the hand to slide easily into the glove. Both polymer coating and chlorination effectively address the donning problem while eliminating the risks associated with aerosolized particles and foreign body reactions.
The transition to powder-free gloves, driven by safety concerns and enabled by technology, has become the accepted standard in healthcare. These modern alternatives provide the necessary barrier protection, tactile sensitivity, and ease of use without exposing patients or providers to inflammation or allergic risks.