No. Acrylonitrile rubber is nitrile butadiene rubber — a synthetic copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene — and it is not natural rubber latex. Nitrile gloves contain none of the Hevea brasiliensis latex proteins, which is why they are the usual alternative for staff and patients with a latex protein allergy. They can still cause the delayed skin reaction known as Type IV contact dermatitis, so "nitrile" is not the same statement as "no reaction possible".
The confusion is fair enough: the word rubber appears in both names, and the two boxes sit next to each other on the shelf. But the chemistry is different, the protein story is different, and the standards are different.
Is Acrylonitrile Rubber the Same as Latex?
No. Natural rubber latex is a plant product tapped from the rubber tree, and its polymer backbone is cis-1,4-polyisoprene together with a set of naturally occurring proteins. Nitrile rubber — NBR — is made in a reactor from acrylonitrile and butadiene monomers, so it has no plant protein fraction at all. "Acrylonitrile rubber", "nitrile" and "NBR" describe the same synthetic family; only the trade language differs.
What Is Actually Inside a Nitrile Glove?
A nitrile glove is a cured film of NBR plus additives: activators such as zinc oxide, accelerators and vulcanising agents, antioxidants and pigments. The acrylonitrile content is tuned to trade oil and chemical resistance against flexibility, which is why two gloves of identical thickness can behave differently. Powder-free nitrile usually carries a chlorinated or polymer coating on the inside surface instead of powder, and that coating is also what makes the glove easy to don.
Why Do Nitrile Gloves Cause Fewer Allergic Reactions?
Latex protein allergy is a Type I, IgE-mediated reaction to proteins in natural rubber latex, and it can escalate quickly in a sensitised person. Nitrile removes that specific trigger because the proteins are not present. It does not remove the Type IV reaction, which is a delayed eczema-type response to chemical additives such as accelerators — and nitrile gloves contain those too. So the material answers the protein question, not the exposure question.
Which Standards Apply to Each Glove Type?
Two ASTM standards frame the products sold in North America: ASTM D6319 for nitrile examination gloves and ASTM D3578 for rubber latex examination gloves. Chemotherapy permeation claims rest on ASTM D6978, and resistance to bloodborne pathogen penetration is assessed under methods such as ASTM F1671. In Canada, examination gloves are medical devices and need a device licence before they can be sold, so a supplier should be able to state the licence and the standard behind a claim on request.
| Term | What the material actually is | Latex protein | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural rubber latex (NRL) | Plant polymer tapped from Hevea brasiliensis | Contains latex protein | High elasticity; the traditional exam glove where no latex allergy exists |
| Nitrile, NBR, acrylonitrile rubber | Synthetic copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene | No latex protein | Latex-sensitive staff and patients, general exam work, chemotherapy gloves when D6978 tested |
| Vinyl (PVC) | Polyvinyl chloride with plasticiser | No latex protein | Short, low-risk tasks where fit and elasticity matter less |
| Polychloroprene | Synthetic chloroprene polymer | No latex protein | Alternative where a latex-like feel is wanted without the protein |
| "Latex-free" on a label | A claim about the absence of natural rubber latex | Absent by claim | Check which material replaces it and which standard it meets |
What Should Buyers Check on a Glove Spec Sheet?
Read the material and the standard first, then the numbers: nominal thickness in mil at the palm and finger, powder-free or powdered, the pinhole AQL claimed against the standard, the test method behind any chemotherapy claim, the accelerator system if staff have reported skin reactions, the shelf life and the case count. Two products can both say nitrile and still differ on finger thickness, modulus and how the cuff behaves when wet.
For a latex-sensitive team the practical choice is usually thickness rather than material. The 4 mil standard blue nitrile, 100-pack covers general exam and personal care tasks, and the 6 mil heavy-duty black nitrile, 100-pack suits longer procedures and rougher handling. Multi-site groups can compare case pricing at the bulk quote desk, and the learning hub holds the glove specification guides.
Clinics that pair glove procurement with sterilizer monitoring can start with a BI 5-pack trial ($12.99, ships free).
Ordering for a clinic, lab or care home? Wholesale and multi-site ordering covers case pricing and account setup, and the B2B wholesale collection lists the lines stocked for institutional buyers.
Related reading
Then read how to choose nitrile gloves for a Canadian clinic, a case review of a practice switching to latex-free exam gloves and what ASTM D6978 testing actually covers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does nitrile contain natural rubber latex?
No. Nitrile is a synthetic copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene, so it contains none of the Hevea brasiliensis proteins that drive Type I latex allergy.
Can you still react to nitrile gloves?
Yes. Accelerators and other additives in both latex and nitrile gloves can cause Type IV contact dermatitis, a delayed eczema-type reaction. Changing material removes the protein trigger, not every possible skin reaction.
Is acrylonitrile rubber the same as nitrile?
Yes. Acrylonitrile rubber, nitrile rubber and NBR name the same synthetic family. The difference is chemistry language versus trade language, not two separate products.
Which standard covers nitrile exam gloves?
ASTM D6319 covers nitrile examination gloves and ASTM D3578 covers rubber latex examination gloves. Chemotherapy permeation claims are tested to ASTM D6978.
CliniEco Medical is a licensed medical device establishment (MDEL #35334).
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