Using gloves wisely: rethinking glove use for health, safety, and environmental sustainability

2026/01/01 by M. Lauren Lalakea, Radhika Sheth, Elizabeth Cerceo +4 · 1 voice
Chemistry · Medicine · #Antimicrobial agents and applications #Healthcare and Environmental Waste Management #Infection Control in Healthcare

paper · pdf · doi:10.1017/ash.2026.10323

openalex publication_date 2026/01/01 · openalex created_date 2026/04/02 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/10

Abstract

Non-sterile gloves (NSG) are essential for reducing transmission of pathogens and for protecting patients and staff. Their overconsumption can lead not only to an increased risk of cross-contamination but also increased plastic waste and downstream environmental effects. Glove reduction campaigns worldwide have safely and successfully reduced their inappropriate use and associated waste. In this multidisciplinary commentary, we discuss the sweeping public health and environmental consequences of NSG overuse and strategies to implement a successful glove stewardship campaign.

Citations

• SHEA/IDSA/APIC Practice Recommendation: Strategies to prevent healthcare-associated infections through hand hygiene: 2022 Update
• Health Care Pollution And Public Health Damage In The United States: An Update
• Healthcare workers’ attitudes and practices around environmental sustainability in infection prevention
• Gloving in medicine: a boon for infection prevention or a hindrance?
• Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America supports environmental stewardship and sustainability while protecting patients and healthcare personnel position statement of the SHEA Board

Discussions

• Overconsumption of non-sterile gloves can increase plastic waste and the risk of infection, harming both public health and the environment. We discuss strategies to implement glove reduction for ⬆️ sa [bsky, 2 points, 0 comments]

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• Hand hygiene on gloved hands: is glove integrity compromised by repeated disinfections?
• COVID-19 Pandemic Repercussions on the Use and Management of Plastics