Effective January 18, 2017, The Food and Drug Administration has banned powdered surgical and exam gloves, saying they pose health risks to both patients and healthcare providers.
The rule applies to patient examination gloves, powdered surgeon’s gloves and absorbable powder for lubricating a surgeon’s glove.
“While use of these gloves is decreasing, they pose an unreasonable and substantial risk of illness or injury to health care providers, patients and other individuals who are exposed to them, which cannot be corrected through new or updated labeling,” the agency said in a March news release.
The FDA found that the gloves can cause allergic reactions, severe airway inflammation, wound inflammation, and post-surgical scar tissue formation.
The action is not expected to have much impact on glove supplies or manufacturer sales, according to government research. Most powdered gloves have already been phased out, and only six manufacturers are still registered to make them in the U.S., according to the agency.
Read the full ruling here.
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