Chemotherapy Gloves vs. Medical Examination Gloves: Why the Difference Matters

September 19 2025, by Tatianna Gerard, 12 min reading time

In healthcare, gloves are one of the most basic — yet most critical — forms of personal protective equipment. They create a barrier against pathogens, protect both patients and staff, and are used in almost every clinical setting. But when it comes to handling chemotherapy drugs, not all gloves offer the same protection.

Standard medical examination gloves are designed for routine patient care, protecting against blood, body fluids, and some mild chemicals. However, they are not built to withstand cytotoxic agents — the highly potent drugs used in chemotherapy. Using the wrong type of glove in these settings can put healthcare workers at serious risk of exposure, leading to skin damage, long-term health problems, or even secondary contamination of work areas.

What are medical examination gloves?

Medical examination gloves are one of the most commonly used protective items in healthcare. Worn by doctors, nurses, and other frontline staff, these gloves act as a barrier between healthcare workers and patients, reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Purpose and use

Designed primarily for routine medical procedures, such as physical examinations, drawing blood, handling body fluids, and minor clinical tasks. Their main role is to protect against microorganisms, bloodborne pathogens, and general chemical splash exposure. They help ensure infection prevention and control, keeping both patient and clinician safe.

Materials

Medical examination gloves are typically made from:

Nitrile – highly popular due to strength, puncture resistance, and latex-free composition (suitable for staff or patients with latex allergies).
Latex – known for elasticity and tactile sensitivity but can cause allergic reactions.
Vinyl – cost-effective but generally less durable and protective.

Standards and testing

Medical examination gloves are tested under standards like ASTM D6319 (for nitrile) or ASTM D3578 (for latex) to ensure basic barrier protection. They are assessed for tensile strength, puncture resistance, and barrier integrity against pathogens. Some gloves may also be rated for handling low-risk chemicals, but they are not designed or tested for cytotoxic drugs.

Understanding medical glove standards

When you see a glove described as “ASTM compliant,” it means it has been tested against specific international standards to prove it can provide the level of protection needed in clinical settings. For medical examination gloves, two of the most common standards are ASTM D6319 and ASTM D3578.

ASTM D6319 – Nitrile examination gloves

This standard specifies the performance requirements for nitrile examination gloves, one of the most widely used glove types in healthcare today.

It covers key factors such as:

Dimensions: thickness, width, and length of the glove.
Physical strength: how well the glove resists tearing or puncturing during use.
Barrier performance: ensuring it can block microorganisms and bloodborne pathogens.

Nitrile is known for excellent puncture resistance, making it a preferred alternative to latex for many healthcare workers, particularly where allergies are a concern.

ASTM D3578 – Latex examination gloves

This standard sets the requirements for natural rubber latex examination gloves. Similar to the nitrile standard, it specifies testing for:

Tensile strength and elasticity (latex is valued for its flexibility and “second-skin” feel).
Barrier integrity to protect against microorganisms and fluids.
Durability under stress, including donning and removal.

Latex gloves generally provide high sensitivity and fit, but latex allergies limit their use in many facilities.

Importantly, both ASTM D6319 and ASTM D3578 are focused on infection control and general medical use. They do not include testing for permeation resistance to chemotherapy drugs — meaning even if a glove is ASTM-compliant for medical use, it doesn’t automatically make it safe for cytotoxic handling.

Limitations

Standard medical examination gloves may degrade rapidly when exposed to chemotherapy agents.
They typically have shorter cuffs, which may leave parts of the wrist or forearm exposed.
They are not held to the same permeation resistance requirements as chemotherapy-tested gloves, meaning hazardous drugs can pass through within minutes.

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What are chemotherapy (cytotoxic-tested) gloves?

When it comes to handling chemotherapy drugs, standard medical examination gloves aren’t enough. Cytotoxic medications are among the most hazardous substances used in healthcare, and exposure — even in small amounts — can cause serious harm to healthcare workers. That’s why chemotherapy-tested gloves are required in oncology and pharmacy settings.

Definition and purpose

Chemotherapy gloves are specifically designed to provide protection against cytotoxic agents used in cancer treatment. They are usually made from nitrile or latex, but what sets them apart from regular medical gloves is their compliance with ASTM D6978, the standard for testing resistance to chemotherapy drugs.

ASTM D6978

The ASTM D6978 standard goes beyond normal examination glove testing. Gloves are exposed to a wide range of chemotherapy drugs and assessed for permeation resistance.

To pass, a glove must keep permeation rates below 0.01 µg/cm²/min, which is considered the safe threshold. Testing covers both the glove material and thickness, ensuring that the glove can withstand prolonged contact with hazardous agents.

Design features

Compared to standard exam gloves, chemotherapy gloves often:

Have greater thickness or enhanced barrier properties for longer protection.
Feature longer cuffs to protect the wrist and lower forearm.
Are labelled clearly as “Chemo-Tested” or “ASTM D6978 Compliant” to help staff distinguish them from standard gloves.
Are often recommended for double-gloving during chemo drug handling to provide an extra layer of safety.

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Why they matter

Without proper gloves, chemotherapy agents can:

Permeate standard exam gloves within minutes, leading to direct skin contact.
Cause burns, rashes, or dermatitis in the short term.
Contribute to serious long-term health risks, including reproductive issues or increased cancer risk, with repeated exposure.

The risks of using the wrong gloves

In healthcare, using the wrong type of glove isn’t just a minor oversight — it can expose staff to serious, potentially life-threatening risks. This is especially true in oncology and pharmacy settings, where chemotherapy drugs must be handled with the highest level of care.

1. Permeation risk

Standard medical examination gloves are not designed to resist cytotoxic drugs. Chemotherapy agents can permeate through regular nitrile or latex exam gloves (depending on the material and double-gloving practice).

2. Direct health consequences

When chemotherapy drugs come into contact with the skin, they can cause:

Immediate effects – redness, rashes, burns, or irritation.
Long-term health risks – chronic exposure has been linked to fertility problems, reproductive harm, and even increased cancer risk among healthcare workers.

3. Cross-contamination

Wearing the wrong gloves also increases the risk of contaminating work surfaces, equipment, and even other staff members. Cytotoxic residues can spread easily, creating a broader hazard across the clinical environment.

4. Workplace safety and compliance risks

Healthcare organisations have strict WHS (Work Health and Safety) protocols for handling cytotoxic drugs. Using non-compliant gloves:

Violates safety standards.
Increases liability for the organisation.
Compromises accreditation and staff confidence in safety procedures.

5. False sense of security

Perhaps most concerning is that standard medical gloves can look and feel intact, even while hazardous drugs are passing through them. This creates a dangerous false sense of protection for staff who believe they are covered.

Key differences between medical examination gloves and chemotherapy gloves

Comparison at a glance:

Feature	Medical Examination Gloves	Chemotherapy Gloves
Primary Purpose	Routine patient care, handling body fluids, exams	Handling cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs safely
Testing Standards	ASTM D6319 (nitrile), ASTM D3578 (latex)	ASTM D6978 (cytotoxic drug resistance)
Permeation Resistance	Limited; may allow drug permeation within minutes	High resistance; permeation rate ≤ 0.01 µg/cm²/min
Material Thickness	Standard thickness for comfort and dexterity	Thicker or specially formulated for durability
Cuff Length	Standard short cuffs	Often extended cuffs to protect wrists/forearms
Labelling	General “exam glove” labelling	Clearly marked “Chemo-Tested” or ASTM D6978
Recommended Use	Examinations, non-hazardous medical procedures	Preparing, administering, cleaning, or disposing of chemotherapy drugs

Best practices for safe use

Even when the right type of glove is chosen, how they’re used plays a critical role in ensuring safety. In oncology and pharmacy settings where chemotherapy drugs are handled, strict glove protocols are essential to protect staff and prevent contamination.

1. Always verify compliance

Check that gloves used for chemotherapy are clearly labelled ASTM D6978 compliant.
Do not rely on “medical use” or “exam glove” labelling — only cytotoxic-tested gloves provide the necessary barrier protection.

2. Double-gloving is recommended

Many oncology protocols recommend wearing two pairs of chemotherapy-tested gloves when handling hazardous drugs.
If the outer glove becomes contaminated, damaged, or removed, the inner glove still provides protection.

3. Change gloves frequently

Replace gloves every 30 minutes during chemotherapy preparation or administration, or immediately if torn, punctured, or contaminated.
Even ASTM-tested gloves can degrade over time when exposed to cytotoxic agents.

4. Use longer cuffs when possible

Choose chemotherapy gloves with extended cuffs to cover the wrist and overlap with gown sleeves, reducing the risk of skin exposure.

5. Safe removal and disposal

Remove gloves carefully to avoid contact with the contaminated outer surface.
Dispose of used chemotherapy gloves in designated cytotoxic waste containers — never in general medical waste.

6. Staff training and awareness

Ensure all staff handling hazardous drugs are trained in glove standards, safe handling practices, and emergency procedures in case of exposure.
Reinforce the risks of using non-compliant gloves and the importance of following protocols.

Gloves may look similar, but their purpose and protection levels can be worlds apart. Medical examination gloves are essential for everyday patient care, offering reliable protection against bloodborne pathogens, body fluids, and general clinical risks. But when it comes to handling cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs, they are not enough.

Only ASTM D6978-compliant chemotherapy gloves are designed and tested to withstand hazardous drug exposure. Using the wrong gloves not only puts healthcare workers at risk of skin contact and long-term health effects, but also increases the chance of workplace contamination and regulatory breaches.