FDA Proposes Ban On Powdered Medical Gloves

Citing health risks to both health care professionals and patients, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a ban of most powdered medical gloves. The ban would apply to powdered surgeon’s gloves, powdered patient examination gloves, and absorbable powder for lubricating surgeon’s gloves.

Powder on latex gloves can cause allergic reactions, while powder on synthetic gloves may lead to airway inflammation, wound inflammation, and post-surgical adhesions.

If the ban is finalized, powdered gloves—both latex and synthetic—would be removed from the marketplace. The FDA is currently reviewing feedback provided during the public comment period, which closed June 20.