Triboelectrification of Latex and Polyethylene Gloves

The aim of the present study is to determine the electrostatic charge generated from the dry sliding of the latex and polyethylene single and double gloves against polyamide, polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene. It was found that electrostatic charge increases with the increase of the sliding distance. Double NBR and PE layers gained relatively higher charge than that gained by single layer. This observation can be interpreted on the fact that the two layers of NBR or PE can form voids which trap the electrostatic charge formed at their internal surfaces. The application of the mechanical stress on the polymer layers increases the possibility of charge formation due to contact and separation. The assumed charge formation of the internal surfaces is detected by the significant charge increase measured by double layers of the tested polymers. Based on the observations in the present experiments, it can be concluded that the advantages of wearing double gloves to reduce the postoperative infections in surgical patients, the number of perforations of the gloves and the risk of contamination are limited by the fact that double gloving generates excessive electrostatic charge which may increase the intensity of extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields that measured during surgery. Electrostatic charges cause electromagnetic fields influencing their applications. The electromagnetic fields found in hospital operating rooms can be quite hostile to electronic medical devices. This observation can limit the usage of double gloving in surgery.