- What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl—a synthetic opioid pain reliever—is 50-100 times more potent than morphine and 30-50 times more potent than heroin. Fentanyl can be up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Illegal, synthetic versions of the drug lead to overdoses and expose first responders and law enforcement in the line of duty.
Often distributed clandestinely in other street drugs, fentanyl can lead to overdose deaths and serious health problems. In 2021, more than 71,000 people died of synthetic opioid overdoses, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up from 58,000 in 2020. Fentanyl overdoses are among the leading causes of death in the country for people ages 18 to 45.
- How can someone get exposed to fentanyl?
Potential exposure routes of greatest concern include inhalation of powders or aerosols, mucous membrane contact, ingestion, or exposure secondary to a break in the skin (for example a needlestick). Any of these exposure routes can potentially result in a variety of symptoms that can include the rapid onset of life-threatening respiratory depression. Skin contact is also a potential exposure route, but is not likely to lead to overdose unless exposures are to liquid or to a powder over an extended period of time. Brief skin contact with illicit fentanyl is not expected to lead to toxic effects if any visible contamination is promptly removed.
- Do I need a fentanyl glove?
If you are a first responder, a healthcare professional, or in law enforcement where you can be exposed to fentanyl on a regular basis you will want to use a fentanyl glove.
- Is a fentanyl glove produced differently or have a different ingredient?
No, a fentanyl-rated glove is typically the same as an exam glove in terms of production process and material composition. Whether it is testing for fentanyl or another chemical, ratings are only generated if a glove is tested for that chemical specifically. Gloveworks® Exam Black Nitrile Disposable Gloves , AIC® Professional Exam Blue Nitrile Disposable Gloves , AIC® Professional Exam Indigo Nitrile Disposable Gloves , AIC® Professional Exam Black Nitrile Disposable Gloves and AIC® Professional Exam Blue Nitrile Disposable Gloves products met the ASTM D6978 standard to resist permeation from fentanyl for up to 240 mins.
- What is the difference between an exam glove and a glove that has a fentanyl rating?
The difference is that fentanyl rated gloves are tested to ASTM D6978 to resist permeation from fentanyl for up to 240 minutes. This test must be conducted by an independent 3rd party laboratory to validate the results.
