However, the 'art' of selecting the appropriate chemically-resistant glove is not well developed. In fact, wide variations in performance are typical between different brands, different lots, and even between different gloves of a single manufacturer bearing the same lot number. 5 mil Latex gloves are very susceptible to mechanical damage, and provide at best a few minutes, often only seconds of protection against non-polar solvents. However, they should still be regarded as short term protection. Basically, they should provide enough time to remove the glove on accidental contamination.
Nitrile gloves are suitable for most procedures involving chemical handling.
Note however that they are readily penetrated by some agents such as acetone and other ketones. This combination, with Butyl rubber outer gloves, has been tested and selected by the Coast Guard Hazardous Chemical Response Team as the most effective combination for use in handling mixed and unknown Hazardous Material Spills. Before breakthrough, gloves often become permeated with the chemical to which they are exposed. Following the use of any non-disposable glove, decontamination must be carried out or the glove will become an active source of chronic chemical exposure. Washing gloves in aqueous solution of soaps or detergents, or any non-polar solvent, removes the plasticizing agents and very rapidly degrades and destroys the glove.