Protection from Fentanyl Exposure with Nitrile Gloves

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that was originally developed as a painkiller. Compared to morphine, it is 50 times more deadly than heroin and 100 times more deadly than morphine. As fentanyl has become popular worldwide, it has transformed the illegal drug market and raised the risk of overdose. In 2020-2021, over 100,00 Americans died of fentanyl overdose, surpassing suicide, gun violence, and car accidents.

Fentanyl Exposure

Two milligrams, about the size of five grains of salt, of fentanyl can kill. Illicit fentanyl comes in different forms, such as powder, pill, or liquid. Emergency responders are at risk of being overdosed by coming into contact with the illicit fentanyl by:

• Breathing
• Eating
• Touching eyes, nose, mouth, or skin with contaminated hands or gloves
• Absorbed by the skin
• Being stuck by a needle

The following job categories may have the potential for exposure to illicit drugs:

• Pre-hospital patient care: Emergency medical service (EMS) providers, including first responders and fire department
• Law enforcement routine duties
• Law enforcement investigation and evidence collection
• Special operations and decontamination

Fentanyl Prevention

To help prevent exposure to illicit drugs, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommended that trained emergency responders wear powder-free nitrile gloves with a minimum thickness of 5±2 mil (i.e., 0 .127 +- 0.051 millimeters; 1 mil=0.0254 millimeters) when dealing with illicit drugs. FDA requires gloves must be tested against fentanyl to claim resistance.

At Unimed Medical Supply, we provide many products that meet or exceed NIOSH and FDA recommendations and guidelines for handling fentanyl.

• Tested according to ASTM D6978 Standard Practice for Assessment of Resistance of Medical Gloves to Permeation by Chemotherapy Drugs
• Resistant for more than 240 minutes
• FDA 510K approved