Oncology nurses, hospital pharmacy compounding teams, laboratory technologists, and the procurement managers who supply them need gloves that hold up against hazardous drugs. ASTM D6978 is the standard test method that measures how long a glove material blocks chemotherapy drugs before permeation, and gloves that pass it are labelled chemotherapy-tested. Canadian facilities that handle cytotoxic drugs should verify ASTM D6978 results rather than assuming a general-purpose nitrile glove will do.
What Is ASTM D6978?
ASTM D6978-05, the Standard Test Method for Determination of Resistance of Gloves to Permeation by Chemotherapy Drugs, closed a gap in glove testing. An examination glove tested under ASTM D6319 proves physical strength, puncture resistance, and barrier integrity, but says nothing about how the material behaves when a small drug molecule migrates through the polymer.
The test exposes glove material to a challenge drug on the outside, then samples the inner surface over time. The key output is breakthrough time: when the drug is detected inside at a permeation rate of 0.01 µg/cm² per minute or higher. Many chemo-tested nitrile gloves exceed 240 minutes for drugs such as cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, and 5-fluorouracil.
Because the standard tests drugs individually, a glove can pass for one drug and fail for another; the test report matters more than a generic claim on the box.
Why Ordinary Examination Gloves Are Not Enough
Chemotherapy drugs are not ordinary irritants. Many are mutagenic or carcinogenic, and occupational exposure has been linked to long-term health effects in workers who handled them without adequate protection. The danger is invisible: permeation leaves no visible change, no smell, and no immediate sensation.
General-purpose nitrile gloves are tested for physical barrier properties, not chemical permeation. A 4-mil exam glove can pass AQL puncture testing and still allow slow drug permeation over a 30-minute infusion task. Health Canada and PHAC hazardous drug guidance points facilities toward gloves with documented chemotherapy permeation results.
Hospitals such as Princess Margaret Cancer Centre at UHN treat chemo-tested gloves as the baseline for pharmacy and infusion services, and Canadian compounding follows NAPRA hazardous drug guidance.
Chemical Resistance of Glove Materials Compared
Material choice changes chemical resistance more than thickness does. The table compares the four common glove materials across chemical families found in healthcare and laboratories.
| Material | Chemo Drugs (tested) | Alcohols & Water | Oils & Solvents | Puncture Resistance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrile | Good under ASTM D6978 | Good | Good | High |
| Latex | Variable, many drugs fail | Good | Poor, swells in oils | Moderate |
| Neoprene | Good for many drugs | Good | Good | Moderate |
| Vinyl | Poor | Good | Poor | Low |
Nitrile offers the strongest balance for Canadian buyers: high puncture resistance, no latex proteins, and a documented chemotherapy testing record when the product is certified. Neoprene suits staff sensitive to both but costs more per box.
Breakthrough Time: How to Read the Numbers
Breakthrough times are reported in minutes. Above 240 minutes covers a typical task or shift; 60 to 240 minutes calls for scheduled glove changes; below 60 minutes means the glove is not suitable for that drug.
| Drug | Breakthrough Time | Task Fit |
|---|---|---|
| Cyclophosphamide | 240+ min | Full-shift compounding |
| Doxorubicin | 240+ min | Infusion preparation |
| Cisplatin | 240+ min | IV administration |
| Paclitaxel | 240+ min | Infusion preparation |
| Carmustine | 30-60 min | Change gloves frequently |
These are typical published results for chemo-tested nitrile gloves; always check the manufacturer's report for your specific product and drug.
Who Needs Chemotherapy-Tested Gloves
- Oncology clinics and infusion centres: nurses handling IV bags and tubing.
- Hospital pharmacies: compounding, vial spiking, dose verification.
- Clinical and research laboratories: urine, blood, and waste from cytotoxic patients.
- Environmental services: patient rooms, linen, and waste from oncology units.
Housekeeping, laundry, and waste teams also contact drug residues; their gloves deserve the same documented protection as the pharmacy's.
Choosing a Chemotherapy-Tested Nitrile Glove
Start with the test report: ask your supplier for the ASTM D6978 documentation and confirm your drugs appear on it with acceptable breakthrough times.
The Aurelia Protege 4.0-mil powder-free nitrile exam glove is CliniEco's chemotherapy-tested option for oncology and pharmacy. For exam use elsewhere, the INTCO TouchFlex Advancare 10-box case keeps unit costs down, and the CliniEco 6-mil heavy-duty black glove adds thickness for waste handling.
For the physical side of exam glove grading, see our explainer on the ASTM D6319 standard, and our TouchFlex 4-mil versus 6-mil comparison covers thickness decisions elsewhere in your facility.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is ASTM D6978?
ASTM D6978 is the standard test method for measuring permeation of chemotherapy drugs through glove materials. It reports a breakthrough time per drug: how long the glove blocks it before reaching the skin.
What is the difference between chemotherapy gloves and regular examination gloves?
Regular exam gloves are tested under ASTM D6319 for physical barrier properties like puncture and tear resistance. Chemotherapy-tested gloves also pass an ASTM D6978 permeation test, and not all nitrile gloves carry that result.
Are nitrile gloves resistant to chemicals?
Nitrile resists many chemicals, including oils, alcohols, and many chemotherapy drugs, but resistance is chemical-specific. Always check the manufacturer's ASTM D6978 report for the drugs you handle.
How do I read breakthrough time?
Breakthrough time is reported in minutes: above 240 covers a typical shift, 60 to 240 calls for scheduled glove changes, and below 60 means the glove is unsuitable for that drug.
Last updated: 2026-08-22
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