Best® Gloves for Anthrax

Question:
What is Anthrax?

Answer:
Anthrax is a spore forming bacterium; it is not the same thing as a chemical agent. Chemical agents such as Sarin or Mustard gas are poison and cause death from paralyzing the central nervous system. Anthrax is a bacterium that gets into the body and reproduces like pneumonia or other infectious diseases.
Question: Will N-DEX® or other Best® gloves protect from Anthrax exposure?
N-DEX gloves are one part of a total ensemble and may protect the skin exposure route only. They will not provide protection from inhalation of Anthrax. Best N-DEX gloves have been tested for protection from viral penetration. This testing is the only standard accepted method for blood borne pathogens and uses Bacteriophage Phi-X 174 as the biological model. The testing performed is a biological test for something as small as a virus. Viruses are NOT the same thing as bacteria. The Bacteriophage Phi-X 174 virus is the smallest known virus (0.027 micrometers in size) while spore-forming bacteria may be relatively large, up to 500 microns in size.

Anthrax, a spore forming bacterium named Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax), is small (from 1 to 5 micrometers in size) the most dangerous spores are fine enough to be inhaled. This form of Anthrax is still about 30 to 180 times larger than the Bacteriophage Phi-X 174 model virus particle that we tested. So, it makes sense that if the glove protects from viral penetration to Bacteriophage Phi-X 174, then the Anthrax Bacteria should not penetrate.

We have not tested the actual Anthrax bacteria, but the model virus data, adheres to ASTM F 1671 "Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X 174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System." So, for applications such as letter handling or collecting specimens for analysis of Anthrax contamination or for decontamination using bleach, the N-DEX glove would be highly recommended. It is much preferred to use a glove in these applications that is closefitting in the wrist since fine powders can find their way down inside a glove that does not fit closely in the wrist. This information is based upon technical data that Best Manufacturing Company believes to be reliable. It is subject to revision as additional knowledge and experience are gained. Best makes no guarantee of results and assumes no obligation or liability in connection with this information.

Sincerely,
Don Groce
Best® GloveTechnical Product Specialist
October 18, 2001

© 2001 Best Manufacturing. This information is provided “as is” and is not to be considered a warranty of product performance or as an authoritative informational page. Due to the diverse field conditions and other variables which can affect a product’s performance, Calolympic Safety disclaims all warranties (expressed and implied) as to any product’s performance or any information provided.


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