News
Bleach Cotton Gloves - LCA Results
Bleach Cotton Gloves - LCA Results
Bleach is an essential chemical used in homes, industrial businesses and foodservice locations to sanitize surfaces and kill bacteria or pathogens.bleach cotton gloves It is also frequently used in health care settings to disinfect equipment and prevent the spread of germs among patients.
Because bleach is a toxic, corrosive and irritating substance, proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is crucial when working with it.bleach cotton gloves This includes a buttoned lab coat, safety glasses or goggles, gloves, and an impenetrable chemical apron and sleeves or coveralls. Depending on the quantity and concentration of bleach being used, respiratory protection may be necessary as well.
These size small bleach cotton gloves are made from lightweight, bleached, and breathable bleach cotton.bleach cotton gloves They have a curved palm with a non-slip grip, and are comfortable enough to wear for extended periods of time. They are machine washable, but it is recommended that they air dry to avoid shrinkage.
When washing cotton gloves, cold water and a mild detergent is recommended to reduce washing emissions. Several AIC member surveys reported that on average, a cotton glove is reused 4 times between washes. This would reduce both manufacturing and washing emissions dramatically.
A large portion of the cotton glove carbon footprint is due to washing emissions, which can be reduced significantly through cold washing and additional reusability. As shown in the LCA results below, reusing cotton gloves significantly lowers their impacts, and may make them more environmentally preferable than disposable options like nitrile or latex.
The nitrile glove has the highest footprint of all the models in this analysis, mainly due to its higher mass and carbon intensity. However, nitrile offers the best chemical resistance of all the models in this study to ketones, oils, and chlorinated solvents, which are common contaminants encountered by conservation professionals.
It is important to note that these LCA model results are based on representative supply chains and manufacturing locations, rather than a specific brand or product. The results are indicative of the environmental footprint for each of the modelled materials and will vary if other variables are changed, such as transportation distances to the final location where they will be used.
It is possible to further reduce the impact of these and other glove materials by sourcing them from manufacturers who use renewable energy, or by purchasing recycled products from established brands. Increasing demand for more sustainable products is driving the industry towards greener production practices, and cultural heritage professionals can help by requesting these options from their suppliers. Additionally, it is possible to support sustainable glove production by supporting companies with take-back programs that recycle the materials back into new gloves (Kimberly-Clark 2022; TerraCycle 2022). This helps create a circular economy for these critical tools. This will allow for more sustainable disposal and recycling options, while ensuring that these important tools continue to be available to the field of conservation. Eventually, it is hoped that these programs will be adopted by all manufacturers of disposable and reusable gloves.
0users like this.
