Ansell Microflex SU-690 Violet Nitrile Exam Gloves Review (2025): Reduced-Accelerator Protection for Sensitive Skin
★★★★½ 4.5/5
Reviewed by Steven Eaton, WC Safety Editorial — 2025
| Thickness | 3.9 mil |
|---|---|
| Color | Violet/Purple |
| Count | 100 gloves/box |
| Material | Nitrile |
| Powder | Powder-free |
| Latex | Latex-free |
| Standard | ASTM D6319, EN 455 |
The Ansell Microflex SU-690 addresses one of the most common occupational glove complaints—contact dermatitis from accelerator chemicals—by using a reduced-accelerator formulation that lowers Type IV sensitization risk while maintaining full exam-grade barrier performance in a 3.9 mil violet glove.
Why This Glove Stands Out
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Most nitrile gloves contain rubber chemical accelerators (thiurams, carbamates) used in vulcanization. The SU-690's reduced-accelerator formulation significantly lowers concentrations of these sensitizers—critical for healthcare workers, lab technicians, and dental professionals who develop skin reactions to standard nitrile gloves over extended daily wear.
The reason this matters is that accelerators are the chemical class most often implicated in occupational glove dermatitis. Where natural rubber latex causes a Type I (immediate) allergy, the residual accelerators left in finished nitrile are the usual trigger for Type IV allergic contact dermatitis—a delayed reaction that builds over weeks or months of daily wear. For staff who glove up for hours at a time, lowering the dose of those chemicals at the skin is the single most effective material change short of going fully accelerator-free. The SU-690 is Ansell's mid-tier answer: a meaningful reduction without the cost and lighter availability of a zero-accelerator glove, and a sensible default for a department that wants to get ahead of sensitization before symptoms appear.
Performance and Fit
At 3.9 mil, the SU-690 prioritizes tactile sensitivity. This is an exam-grade glove designed for fine-motor procedures: dental exams, endoscopy, lab sample handling, and patient assessment requiring precise feel through the glove. The violet color provides cross-contamination identification in facilities where multiple glove types are in play.
The reduced-accelerator claim is validated against Ansell's chemical specifications—not a marketing statement. Clinical environments tracking contact dermatitis cases among staff report meaningful reductions when switching from standard nitrile to reduced-accelerator formulations. For staff members showing early signs of sensitization, switching to reduced-accelerator nitrile is the recommended clinical intervention before symptoms progress.
Fit follows the usual nitrile pattern: it sits closer to the hand than latex, with beaded-cuff retention and fingertip texture that holds up on damp instruments and specimen containers. Because it is offered XS through XL, a department can standardize one SKU across a mixed-size team rather than stocking separate lines. The 100-glove box and powder-free construction make it a clean drop-in for an existing exam-glove dispenser, and meeting both ASTM D6319 (the U.S. nitrile-exam-glove standard) and EN 455 (the European medical-glove series covering integrity, sizing, and shelf life) means it satisfies clinical procurement specs on both sides of the Atlantic.
Durability and Chemical Protection
At 3.9 mil, this glove is lighter than industrial-grade nitrile. Chemical resistance covers aqueous solutions, disinfectants, and standard laboratory reagents. It is not rated for heavy chemical exposure or sustained contact with aggressive organic solvents. For users needing complete accelerator freedom rather than reduction, the Microflex Supreno SE (fully accelerator-free) is the appropriate escalation.
Set expectations by gauge: a 3.9 mil exam glove is built for barrier protection and dexterity, not abrasion or puncture endurance. It will handle splash contact with the disinfectants, cleaners, and reagents common to clinical and lab benches, but it is a short-contact, change-often glove—the right practice is to glove for a task and re-glove rather than wear one pair through a shift. Where the work involves prolonged solvent contact or aggressive chemicals, a thicker chemical-rated nitrile such as the Ansell TouchNTuff 93-800 with published EN 374 permeation data is the correct tool, and Ansell's chemical resistance guide should be consulted for specific breakthrough times before relying on any glove against a named chemical.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Reduced-accelerator formulation lowers Type IV contact dermatitis risk versus standard nitrile
- Violet color-coding supports cross-contamination protocols in multi-glove facilities
- 3.9 mil delivers excellent tactile sensitivity for exam and fine-motor procedures
- Exam-grade AQL compliance meets clinical barrier standards
Cons
- Reduced-accelerator is not accelerator-free—users with confirmed accelerator allergy need the Supreno SE
- 3.9 mil is lighter than industrial applications require
Who Should Buy This Glove
Order for healthcare workers, dental professionals, and lab technicians who wear nitrile gloves for extended periods daily and have experienced contact dermatitis or skin sensitivity from standard accelerator-containing nitrile. Also appropriate as a facility-wide standard to reduce sensitization development proactively.
It is an especially strong fit for occupational-health and infection-control leads building a dermatitis-prevention program: standardizing on a reduced-accelerator glove for an entire unit lowers the population's cumulative accelerator exposure and tends to reduce the trickle of staff complaints before they become workers'-compensation cases or accommodations. Dental practices, phlebotomy and lab teams, and outpatient clinics whose staff glove up dozens of times a day get the most benefit per dollar, because their wear hours are high but their tasks rarely need an industrial gauge.
Who Should Skip It
Skip if you need heavy-duty industrial chemical resistance—this is an exam-grade 3.9 mil glove, not an industrial glove. For fully accelerator-free protection, upgrade to the Microflex Supreno SE.
Likewise skip it for two specific clinical jobs: if a worker has already been patch-test-confirmed for accelerator allergy, reduction is not enough and the fully accelerator-free Supreno SE is the correct answer; and if the task is hazardous-drug or chemotherapy handling, you need a USP 800-rated glove such as the Kimtech Purple rather than a general exam glove.
How It Compares
The Microflex Supreno SE (also violet, ~7 mil, accelerator-free) provides the same reduced sensitization benefit without any accelerator content—the appropriate choice for users with confirmed Type IV reactions. The Kimtech Purple (5.9 mil, USP 800 chemo-rated) is the pick for hazardous drug handling. The standard Ansell 93-256 (9.5 mil, MEGA Texture) handles industrial applications far beyond this glove's range.
Read the three alternatives as a ladder of escalating protection at the cost of feel. The SU-690 sits at the sensitive, high-dexterity end: lightest gauge, reduced (not eliminated) accelerators, lowest cost per pair. Step up to the Supreno SE when an allergy is confirmed, to the Kimtech Purple when chemo or hazardous-drug handling demands a USP 800 rating, and to the heavy-gauge Ansell 93-256 when the work is industrial. Each move adds material and protection while trading away some of the SU-690's hallmark tactile sensitivity—so the right pick is the lightest glove that still clears your task's hazard.
Related Nitrile Gloves
- Microflex Supreno SE Accelerator-Free Nitrile (fully accelerator-free) Check Price on Amazon →
- Ansell TouchNTuff 93-800 Chemical-Resistant Nitrile Check Price on Amazon →
- Ansell Microflex 93-256 MEGA Texture Orange (9.5 mil industrial) Check Price on Amazon →
- Kimtech Purple Nitrile USP 800 Chemo Gloves Check Price on Amazon →
- Kimtech Polaris EN 374 Nitrile Exam Gloves
- Inspire Cobalt Blue Nitrile Exam Gloves
- Curad Nitrile Exam Gloves 150-Count
- MedPride Powder-Free Nitrile Exam Gloves
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'reduced-accelerator' mean?
The SU-690 uses a formulation with significantly lower concentrations of rubber chemical accelerators (thiurams, carbamates, mercaptobenzothiazoles) compared to standard nitrile gloves. This reduces but does not eliminate Type IV sensitization risk.
Is reduced-accelerator the same as accelerator-free?
No. Reduced-accelerator lowers accelerator concentrations; accelerator-free eliminates them entirely. For users with confirmed Type IV contact dermatitis, accelerator-free (Microflex Supreno SE) is the clinical recommendation.
What is Type IV contact dermatitis from gloves?
A delayed immune response to chemical accelerators in gloves. Symptoms (redness, itching, rash on hands) appear 12–48 hours after contact and worsen with repeated exposure. Distinct from Type I latex hypersensitivity.
Why is the glove violet?
Violet is the color convention in many healthcare facilities for nitrile examination gloves with specific performance profiles—chemo protection, accelerator-reduced, or facility-specific color coding. The color also prevents confusion with black industrial nitrile.
Is this glove latex-free?
Yes. 100% nitrile—no natural rubber latex. Safe for latex-allergic patients and workers.
Is 3.9 mil thick enough for exam work?
Yes. Exam-grade nitrile typically runs 3–5 mil. The SU-690 meets ASTM D6319 and EN 455 standards for examination gloves, validating it for clinical barrier protection at 3.9 mil.
Can I use the SU-690 for chemo drug handling?
Not specifically rated for USP 800 hazardous drug handling. For chemotherapy and NIOSH-listed hazardous drug preparation, use the Kimtech Purple (5.9 mil, USP 800 compliant) or a purpose-rated chemo glove.
How does this compare to the Microflex Supreno SE?
The Supreno SE is fully accelerator-free (higher protection for confirmed allergy) and runs approximately 7 mil (heavier gauge). The SU-690 is reduced-accelerator at 3.9 mil—lighter, more sensitive, but not zero-accelerator.
What size range is available?
XS through XL. Powder-free nitrile—verify sizing against the guide before ordering in bulk.
Can I use these for dental procedures?
Yes. Dental professionals routinely use 3.9–4 mil powder-free nitrile for exams and procedures. The reduced-accelerator formulation is particularly relevant for dental workers who wear gloves multiple hours per day.
How do I know if I have accelerator sensitivity?
Symptoms include redness, itching, and contact dermatitis on glove-covered areas appearing 12–48 hours after wear. Consult an occupational health physician or dermatologist for patch testing to confirm accelerator sensitivity.
Are these gloves sterile?
No—non-sterile examination gloves. Sterile surgical gloves require separate packaging and handling.
What is the shelf life?
Three to five years when stored in a cool, dry location away from UV and ozone.
Can these be used in food service?
Yes—latex-free, powder-free nitrile is appropriate for food handling. Verify compliance with local food service regulations.
Where can I find the full chemical resistance data?
Ansell publishes chemical resistance guides on their website with tested permeation and breakthrough times for specific chemicals against their glove product line.
The Bottom Line
The SU-690 fills a genuine clinical gap between standard nitrile (sensitization risk) and fully accelerator-free gloves (higher cost, limited supply). For facilities building proactive dermatitis prevention into their PPE program, it is the right starting point.
About the Author
Steven Eaton is the founder of WC Safety and a hands-on industrial PPE specialist with over a decade of experience sourcing and evaluating disposable gloves, respirators, and hearing protection for industrial, medical, and food-service environments.
Testing Methodology
Reviews are based on manufacturer specification sheets, ASTM/EN certification documentation, published comparative testing, and direct product handling. Ratings reflect build quality, specification value, and suitability for the intended application.
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All product claims are drawn directly from published technical data sheets, ASTM/EN certification records, or manufacturer documentation. WC Safety does not fabricate specifications, certifications, or comparative claims. Errors may be reported to safetynw2012@gmail.com.
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