Glove Intelligent Assistant
06.26.2025
Many herbicides and industrial pesticides contain chemicals that can be toxic to humans. Commonly used herbicides and pesticides in the agricultural industry include: glyphosate, chlorpyrifos, and paraquat. These chemicals can cause toxic chemical reactions in the bodies of workers who come in contact with them, and can be permeated through the skin. It is imperative that the gloves workers use adequate chemical protection when coming into skin contact with such chemicals.
SW’s disposable nitrile gloves are a competitive choice in choosing between high quality nitrile gloves that address multiple concerns workers may come across when working with agricultural and industrial pesticides. Nitrile gloves are popular as they are naturally more resistant to chemicals. The material does not break down easily in the presence of strong chemicals. SW products undergo ASTM F739-12 and ANSI-ISEA 105 testing standards to ensure our gloves offer the utmost chemical protection. In regards to glove thickness, it is more than a preference — it’s a regulation. According to the US EPA Label Review Manual, applicators must wear chemical-resistant gloves with a minimum thickness of 14 mil. However customers do not need to worry about compromising on comfortability.
SW has the solution with our Newtrile NU15 and NF15 gloves. They are 15 mil thick to even exceed minimum EPA chemical-resistant glove standards. The gloves also have a 13 inch cuff for added protection. The diamond grip surface provides confidence in wet or dry conditions. While a case-hardened exterior increases wear resistance. NF15 and NU15 provide ISO Type A chemical resistance and deliver ANSI 2 puncture resistance along with ANSI 6 abrasion resistance protection. Both gloves feature double chlorinated inner and outer surfaces, allowing for easy donning and doffing.
Furthermore, they come with EcoTek® coating, which aligns with users’ sustainability goals. EcoTek coating has been tested against ASTM D5526-12 Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Accelerated Landfill Conditions. Our nitrile gloves reached 92.6% biodegradation in (60% solids) landfills at 945 days.
SW has also developed a clear and easy guide to determine which chemicals NU15 and NF15 are effective against. The scale is color based, with dark green marking high protection, light green marking moderate protection, and yellow marking slight protection. The specific chemical groups are ordered from A to H. A for dry and water-based formulations, B for Ketones, C for Alcohols, D for Acetates, E for Aliphatic petroleum distillates, F for <40% Aromatic petroleum distillates, G for ≥40% Aromatic petroleum distillates, and H for Halogenated hydrocarbons.
Both gloves offer high protection against dry and water-based formulations, Alcohols, Aliphatic petroleum distillates, and <40% Aromatic petroleum distillates. They provide medium protection against Acetates. NU15 and NF15 offer slight protection against Ketones, ≥40% Aromatic petroleum distillates, and Halogenated hydrocarbons. All this information and additional glove specifications can be found on our website under their product pages. All of SW’s gloves list their testing documentation on their individual product pages, where we provide transparency for our customers. It’s important to note the permeation and breakthrough times of different chemicals. Breakthrough time is the measurement that takes a chemical to penetrate the material from the outside of the glove to the inner lining. Once the breakthrough time has elapsed, the glove is no longer providing adequate protection for the user. Our technology and high quality products are always backed by scientific findings so our customers can make the best choice for hand protection.
At SW, we are committed to leading the glove industry in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Our innovative EcoTek® technology exemplifies our dedication to sustainable solutions, while our expertise in sweat management ensures comfort and performance. We also offer specialized chemical compatibility support, assisting customers in selecting gloves tailored to their unique needs. Our mission is to provide products that prioritize safety, health, and environmental responsibility for our customers and the planet.