Researchers at the University of Michigan found that common disposable gloves can leave soap-like particles called stearates on lab equipment. The gloves they tested included nitrile and latex, and manufacturers add stearates so the gloves come off molds more easily.
The stearate coating can contaminate filters, slides and other surfaces used to measure microplastics in air, water and other samples. The team tested several kinds of gloves and found cleanroom gloves released the fewest particles. They now advise checking gloves and methods to avoid wrong results.
Difficult words
- stearate — soap-like particles from oils or fatsstearates
- disposable — meant to be used once and thrown away
- contaminate — make dirty or unsafe by adding unwanted substances
- coating — a thin layer on a surface for protection
- microplastic — very small pieces of plastic in environmentmicroplastics
- cleanroom — a room kept very clean for experiments
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you use disposable gloves at home or work? When do you use them?
- Why can stearate contamination give wrong results in tests?
- Which gloves would you choose for a lab job, and why?
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