Kimtech Purple Nitrile Exam Gloves, 5.9 Mil, Chemo-Cleared

Kimtech Purple Nitrile Exam Gloves — 5.9 Mil, Chemo-Cleared

The Kimtech Purple Nitrile (55082 series) is Kimberly-Clark Professional’s flagship exam glove for controlled environments. At 5.9 mil — thicker than most exam nitrile — with a 9.5″ cuff length and AQL 1.0 quality standard, these are the gloves specified by hospitals, compounding pharmacies, research labs, and dental practices where exam-grade protection and documentation compliance matter.

The purple color is functional, not cosmetic: color-coded glove protocols are standard practice in laboratory and healthcare settings to distinguish glove type at a glance and enforce glove-change discipline. Purple is the color associated with nitrile exam gloves in most institutional protocols, making these immediately recognizable to trained staff.

The key differentiator over standard exam nitrile (like MedPride powder-free nitrile) is the ASTM D6978 chemo-clearance: these gloves have been tested and rated for use with a defined list of chemotherapy drugs, making them the specification-compliant choice for oncology, pharmacy compounding, and hazardous drug handling under USP <800> guidelines. Standard nitrile is not rated for chemo use.

For industrial hand protection, see GLOVEWORKS Black (5 mil industrial) or the GLOVEWORKS HD Orange (8 mil heavy-duty). For accelerator-sensitive skin, the Microflex Supreno SE is accelerator-free. For a thinner exam option, see MedPride 3 mil exam nitrile.

Chemo Clearance: What ASTM D6978 Means

ASTM D6978 is the standard test method for resistance of gloves to permeation by chemotherapy drugs. A glove carrying this rating has been tested against a panel of chemotherapy agents and demonstrated a permeation resistance sufficient to meet USP Chapter <800> requirements for hazardous drug handling. This matters in:

• Compounding pharmacies preparing hazardous drug formulations
• Oncology nursing administering chemotherapy infusions
• Research labs working with cytotoxic compounds
• Veterinary oncology where the same drug standards apply

Standard nitrile — including general-purpose industrial gloves — is not tested or rated to D6978 and should not be used as a substitute for documented chemo handling. If you are sourcing for a regulated environment, confirm your facility’s SOP specifies D6978 compliance before selecting a substitute glove.

Lab and Cleanroom Applications

Beyond chemo handling, Kimtech Purple is the standard across:

• Clinical laboratory specimen handling
• Dental procedures requiring exam-grade barrier protection
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing and QC
• Life science research and cell culture work
• Pathology and histology labs

Pair with ANSI Z87.1-rated safety glasses or goggles for splash protection and appropriate respiratory protection when handling volatile or aerosolized hazardous materials. See our complete respirator selection guide for hazardous drug compounding scenarios.

Sizing — Important XL Note

Kimtech Purple is available in XS, S, M, L, and XL. The XL (55084) ships 90 gloves per box rather than the standard 100 — this is a Kimberly-Clark manufacturing specification, not a packaging error. All other sizes are 100 gloves per box.

These gloves run true to standard exam sizing. Hand circumference guide: XS = under 6″, S = 6–7″, M = 7–8″, L = 8–9″, XL = 9″+. Browse the full nitrile glove size range across all brands we carry.

Complete Your Lab or Clinical PPE Setup

Glove selection is one component of a complete PPE assessment for hazardous materials. Pair with chemical splash goggles or safety glasses, respiratory protection rated for the specific chemical hazard, and hearing protection if required by the laboratory environment noise assessment. See our disposable respirator guide for respirator selection guidance in lab and healthcare settings.

Kimtech Purple Nitrile vs. Standard Exam Nitrile

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Kimtech Purple Nitrile gloves chemo-cleared?

Yes. Kimtech Purple Nitrile (55082 series) is tested and rated to ASTM D6978, the standard for chemotherapy drug resistance. This makes them compliant for hazardous drug handling under USP Chapter <800> guidelines in compounding pharmacies, oncology nursing, and research laboratories. Always confirm your specific compound appears on the manufacturer’s tested compound list.

What is the thickness of Kimtech Purple Nitrile gloves?

5.9 mil palm thickness, with a 9.5-inch cuff length. This is heavier than standard exam nitrile (typically 3–4 mil) while remaining lighter than industrial-grade gloves (5–8 mil).

Are these gloves latex-free?

Yes. Kimtech Purple Nitrile is 100% synthetic nitrile, latex-free, powder-free, and safe for users with Type I latex allergies.

What does AQL 1.0 mean?

Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) is the maximum acceptable defect rate in a production batch. AQL 1.0 means no more than 1 defect per 100 gloves tested, which is the strictest available level for disposable exam gloves. Standard exam gloves are typically AQL 1.5; many industrial gloves are AQL 2.5.

Why does XL come with 90 gloves instead of 100?

The XL size (55084) is manufactured to a 90-glove pack count by Kimberly-Clark — this is a product specification, not a shortage. Price per glove is proportional. Plan purchasing quantities accordingly for XL users.

What sizes are available?

XS (55080, 100 ct), S (55081, 100 ct), M (55082, 100 ct), L (55083, 100 ct), and XL (55084, 90 ct). All are available through the buy button above on Amazon. See our full nitrile exam glove collection for alternatives across brands.

Are these gloves FDA cleared?

Yes. Kimtech Purple Nitrile holds FDA 510(k) clearance for use as a medical examination glove. This is required for gloves used in clinical, dental, or regulated medical exam contexts.

Can I use Kimtech Purple for food service?

Yes. These are powder-free and latex-free, meeting general food-contact requirements. However, the purple color and institutional pricing make them a non-standard choice for food service. For food-service applications, GLOVEWORKS Black or GLOVEWORKS HD Orange are more cost-effective options.

What is the difference between Kimtech Purple, Sterling, Vista, and Polaris?

All are Kimberly-Clark Professional nitrile exam gloves. Purple (55082): 5.9 mil, chemo-cleared, D6978-rated. Sterling: 3.5 mil, standard exam. Vista: 4.3 mil, slightly heavier. Polaris: 3.5 mil, certified EN 374-3 chemical resistance. Purple is the heaviest and the only one with ASTM D6978 chemo clearance.

How many gloves per box?

100 gloves per box for XS, S, M, and L. The XL (55084) contains 90 gloves per box by manufacturer specification.

Are these the same as Halyard Purple Nitrile?

Halyard Purple Nitrile was previously manufactured by Kimberly-Clark under the Halyard Health brand. After the Halyard/Ansell brand transition, the Purple Nitrile formula returned to Kimberly-Clark’s Kimtech brand. The underlying glove specification is the same; the brand name on the box may differ by lot.

What certifications do Kimtech Purple Nitrile gloves carry?

FDA 510(k) medical exam clearance, ASTM D6319 (nitrile exam glove standard), ASTM D6978 (chemo drug resistance), ASTM D5151 (pinhole detection), AQL 1.0, and compliance with USP <800> hazardous drug handling requirements.