When we think of hand protection we think of protection against cuts, abrasion, chemicals, and heat but there are other serious dangers that exist. There are hidden dangers to employees and the public that they service in the form of microorganisms (microbes) including bacteria, fungi and algae. These microbes exist everywhere and while most are harmless they can rapidly grow on textiles and other surfaces leading to problems. Bacteria can reproduce on untreated surfaces causing foul odors, discoloration, and mildew. These microbes can harm those that come into direct contact and others by the spread of these microbes through contact with food products or surfaces that others will come into contact with.

Protection against microbes begins with good hygiene and cleanliness. Properly cleaning gloves and protective apparel by washing in detergents and bleach can help reduce the growth and spread of microbes but even the best washing process cannot offer residual protection against fresh contamination. The inclusion of an approved antimicrobial gives added protection against microbial contamination. The best way to protect against microbes is to inhibit their growth at the point of contact. The addition of an effective antimicrobial provides another line of defense to inhibit the growth and spread of microbes.

Not all antimicrobials are the same. There are many
products that claim to be antimicrobial but only those
materials that are approved by the US FDA and the EPA
can be called antimicrobials. All antimicrobial materials
must be put into a product at a sufficient concentration in
order to work. The efficacy of the antimicrobial material
must be proven before the products can be approved.
Some materials are topical treatments that will
deteriorate after washing. The best materials are
engineered to provide non-migratory, long-term
antimicrobial effect and are impregnated into the fiber
when it is made so it will last the life of the fiber. Some
antimicrobials only have efficacy against some types of
microbes but not others. A broad spectrum efficacy is
required to be effective. The best antimicrobials will have
efficacy against a wide range of microorganisms at low
use levels. The EPA also must approve the antimicrobial
since they are regulated as herbicides.

Some products claim FDA approved but they are only
approved for apparel. This is fine if you are making a shirt
but gloves come into direct contact with the food
products and therefore need to be approved for Food
Contact. Most antimicrobials on the market are not
approved for Food Contact.

Silver Zirconium Phosphate has proven to be the most effective broad spectrum antimicrobial when properly impregnated into a fiber. Microbes still find their way onto surfaces treated with antimicrobial Silver Zirconium Phosphate, however, the silver ions interrupt their metabolism inhibiting the growth of the microbes.

So the best antimicrobial protection is provided by the inclusion of an EPA and FDA Food Contact approved impregnated material with broad spectrum efficacy. All PIP Kut-Gard styles that contain an antimicrobial use a Silver Zirconium Phosphate antimicrobial fiber that is:

• EPA approved,
• FDA approved for Food Contact, and
• NSF approved.

This antimicrobial is engineered into the glove in sufficient concentration for efficacy against the broadest spectrum of microbes available using a Patented yarn construction.