Mold Growth on Latex Gloves

Glove Importer: We import both medical and industrial grade latex gloves. We have discovered some of the gloves are packed from the factory while still wet which encourages the growth of mold on both the inside and outside of the glove. Obviously more attention to the drying process is required but the factory now wants to introduce a biocide into the manufacturing process to combat the formation and growth of mold. Some of the gloves are used in the food processing industry and in fact handle food ingredients.

The biocide is called Proxel GXL, .10% solution. Have you heard of this chemical or the application of this chemical for the problem described above?. Is it safe for the food manufacturing industry (.10%)?

John Woon (Senior Latex Consultant): It is highly advisable to for the factory to ensure that the gloves they manufacture are properly dried before packing rather than resorting to the use of a biocide i.e prevention is always better than cure.

Also, the gloves must be properly leached (i.e. washed) otherwise dried gloves could eventually absorb moisture from the air leading to mold growth especially when the gloves are stored in warm and humid environment.

Proxel GXL is a widely used biocide in many aqueous based compounds and is classified as "relatively low toxicity via ingestion". However it has been reported to have caused skin irritation to some people.

Under normal circumstances, no biocide is required for gloves manufacturing.

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