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Non-sterile examination gloves and sterile surgical gloves: which are more sustainable?

Jamal, H; Lyne, A; Ashley, P; Duane, B; (2021) Non-sterile examination gloves and sterile surgical gloves: which are more sustainable? Journal of Hospital Infection , 118 pp. 87-95. 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.10.001. Green open access

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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Healthcare professionals should consider environmental sustainability when using personal protective equipment (PPE). One of the most frequently used items of PPE in medical settings are gloves. AIM: This study aims to quantify the environmental impact of sterile versus non-sterile gloves using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. METHODS: This study used three glove types: non-sterile gloves and sterile gloves (latex and latex-free). Sixteen different environmental impact categories were used to demonstrate the impact of each glove type. FINDINGS: Non-sterile gloves had the least environmental impact in all categories. The two types of sterile gloves, non-latex (synthetic rubber) and latex (natural rubber), performed similarly, although the non-latex gloves had a greater impact on ozone depletion, mineral use and ionizing radiation. For climate change impact, sterile latex gloves were 11.6 times higher than non-sterile gloves. This study found that for both sterile type gloves (latex and non-latex), the manufacture of the gloves contributes to the most considerable environmental impact, with an average of 64.37% for sterile latex gloves and 60.48% for non-latex sterile gloves. CONCLUSION: Using the LCA methodology, this study quantitatively demonstrated the environmental impact of sterile versus non-sterile gloves.

Type: Article
Title: Non-sterile examination gloves and sterile surgical gloves: which are more sustainable?
Location: England
Open access status: An open access version is available from UCL Discovery
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.10.001
Publisher version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2021.10.001
Language: English
Additional information: This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions.
Keywords: Environmental sustainability, Life-cycle assessment, Non-sterile gloves, Sterile surgical gloves, Sustainability in healthcare
UCL classification: UCL
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Eastman Dental Institute
UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Medical Sciences > Eastman Dental Institute > EDI Craniofacial and Development Sci
URI: https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10139239
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