Rubber glove

In 1894, William Stewart Halsted, the first chief of surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, invented rubber gloves for his wife Caroline Hampton as he noticed her hands were affected by the daily surgeries she had performed and to prevent medical staff from developing dermatitis from surgical chemicals.

[citation needed] Rubber gloves are best worn with a skin-tight fit which, while still allowing for the hands to breathe, makes it easier to hold objects and manipulate them.

These gloves are traditionally used by people cleaning in the home and are popular with professional cleaners and for clearing up in shops, cafes, and other public places.

Generally, food service employees are required to wash their hands before starting work or putting on single-use gloves.

Disposable gloves are sometimes used in childcare during the diapering/ toileting process to protect the caregiver from coming in contact with the child's fecal material/urine.

The practice of donning latex gloves during the cleaning of toilets embodies a multifaceted approach to hygiene and safety.

By acting as a protective barrier between the skin and the array of potentially harmful substances present in such environments—ranging from bacteria and viruses to harsh cleaning chemicals—these gloves play a pivotal role in safeguarding personal well-being.

Furthermore, the utilization of gloves streamlines the process of handling dirt and waste, facilitating a more efficient and thorough cleaning operation.

Whether in domestic settings or professional contexts, the adoption of latex gloves signifies a commitment to maintaining elevated standards of cleanliness and sanitation.

Tests later showed that dimethylmercury, a small apolar molecule, can rapidly permeate different kinds of latex gloves and enter the skin within about 15 seconds.