{"product_id":"kimtech-purple-nitrile-exam-gloves","title":"Kimtech Purple Nitrile Exam Gloves, 5.9 Mil, Chemo-Cleared","description":"\n\u003cdiv class=\"wcs-editorial-callout\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWC Safety Picks:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kimtech Purple Nitrile is the benchmark exam glove for laboratory, cleanroom, pharmaceutical, and dental applications. The distinctive purple colorway enables instant visual ID for glove-change protocols, the 5.9 mil thickness exceeds standard exam glove spec, and the ASTM D6978 chemo-clearance rating makes these the right call when standard nitrile isn’t enough. If you work with hazardous drugs, biological samples, or chemotherapy agents, this is the industry-standard choice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKimtech Purple Nitrile Exam Gloves — 5.9 Mil, Chemo-Cleared\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/nitrile-gloves\"\u003eKimtech Purple Nitrile (55082 series)\u003c\/a\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe key differentiator over standard exam nitrile (like \u003ca href=\"\/products\/medpride-powder-free-nitrile-exam-gloves\"\u003eMedPride powder-free nitrile\u003c\/a\u003e) is the \u003cstrong\u003eASTM D6978 chemo-clearance\u003c\/strong\u003e: 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 \u0026lt;800\u0026gt; guidelines. Standard nitrile is not rated for chemo use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor industrial hand protection, see \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gloveworks-black-nitrile-industrial-gloves\"\u003eGLOVEWORKS Black (5 mil industrial)\u003c\/a\u003e or the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gloveworks-hd-orange-nitrile-industrial-gloves\"\u003eGLOVEWORKS HD Orange (8 mil heavy-duty)\u003c\/a\u003e. For accelerator-sensitive skin, the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/microflex-su-690-supreno-se-accelerator-free-nitrile-gloves\"\u003eMicroflex Supreno SE\u003c\/a\u003e is accelerator-free. For a thinner exam option, see \u003ca href=\"\/products\/medpride-powder-free-nitrile-exam-gloves\"\u003eMedPride 3 mil exam nitrile\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eChemo Clearance: What ASTM D6978 Means\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eASTM 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 \u0026lt;800\u0026gt; requirements for hazardous drug handling. This matters in:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompounding pharmacies\u003c\/strong\u003e preparing hazardous drug formulations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOncology nursing\u003c\/strong\u003e administering chemotherapy infusions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eResearch labs\u003c\/strong\u003e working with cytotoxic compounds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVeterinary oncology\u003c\/strong\u003e where the same drug standards apply\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStandard 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eLab and Cleanroom Applications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond chemo handling, Kimtech Purple is the standard across:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClinical laboratory specimen handling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDental procedures requiring exam-grade barrier protection\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePharmaceutical manufacturing and QC\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLife science research and cell culture work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePathology and histology labs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/safety-glasses\"\u003eANSI Z87.1-rated safety glasses or goggles\u003c\/a\u003e for splash protection and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/r95-respirators\"\u003eappropriate respiratory protection\u003c\/a\u003e when handling volatile or aerosolized hazardous materials. See our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/guides\/disposable-respirators-complete-guide\"\u003ecomplete respirator selection guide\u003c\/a\u003e for hazardous drug compounding scenarios.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSizing — Important XL Note\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKimtech Purple is available in XS, S, M, L, and XL. The \u003cstrong\u003eXL (55084) ships 90 gloves per box\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than the standard 100 — this is a Kimberly-Clark manufacturing specification, not a packaging error. All other sizes are 100 gloves per box.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese 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 \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/nitrile-gloves\"\u003enitrile glove size range\u003c\/a\u003e across all brands we carry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eComplete Your Lab or Clinical PPE Setup\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGlove selection is one component of a complete PPE assessment for hazardous materials. Pair with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/safety-glasses\"\u003echemical splash goggles or safety glasses\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/r95-respirators\"\u003erespiratory protection\u003c\/a\u003e rated for the specific chemical hazard, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/foam-ear-plugs\"\u003ehearing protection\u003c\/a\u003e if required by the laboratory environment noise assessment. See our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/guides\/disposable-respirators-complete-guide\"\u003edisposable respirator guide\u003c\/a\u003e for respirator selection guidance in lab and healthcare settings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wcs-pros-cons\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"pros\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePros\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eASTM D6978 chemo-cleared — USP \u0026lt;800\u0026gt; compliant for hazardous drug handling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e5.9 mil \/ 9.5″ cuff — heavier spec than standard exam nitrile\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAQL 1.0 — tightest available quality control level for disposable gloves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePurple color coding — visual protocol compliance in institutional settings\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFDA 510(k) cleared — appropriate for regulated medical exam use\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAmbidextrous, beaded cuff — fast donning in high-turnover environments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"cons\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCons\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigher price per box vs. standard exam nitrile — justified for regulated use, excess for general industrial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eXL ships 90 gloves\/box instead of 100 — plan quantities accordingly\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChemo clearance is per tested compound list — verify specific drug against current D6978 data sheet for your compound\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eKimtech Purple Nitrile vs. Standard Exam Nitrile\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFeature\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eKimtech Purple (55082)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStandard Exam Nitrile\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eIndustrial Nitrile (5 mil)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThickness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5.9 mil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–4 mil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5 mil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCuff length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.5″\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9″\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9.5″\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChemo clearance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eASTM D6978 yes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAQL\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.0\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.5–2.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFDA 510(k)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eColor\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePurple\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlue \/ Clear\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack \/ Blue\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePer-box count\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 (90 for XL)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdl\u003e\n\u003cdt\u003eAre Kimtech Purple Nitrile gloves chemo-cleared?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. 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 \u0026lt;800\u0026gt; guidelines in compounding pharmacies, oncology nursing, and research laboratories. Always confirm your specific compound appears on the manufacturer’s tested compound list.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eWhat is the thickness of Kimtech Purple Nitrile gloves?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e5.9 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).\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eAre these gloves latex-free?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. Kimtech Purple Nitrile is 100% synthetic nitrile, latex-free, powder-free, and safe for users with Type I latex allergies.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eWhat does AQL 1.0 mean?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eAcceptable 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.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eWhy does XL come with 90 gloves instead of 100?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eWhat sizes are available?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eXS (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 \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/nitrile-gloves\"\u003enitrile exam glove collection\u003c\/a\u003e for alternatives across brands.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eAre these gloves FDA cleared?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. 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.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eCan I use Kimtech Purple for food service?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eYes. 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, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gloveworks-black-nitrile-industrial-gloves\"\u003eGLOVEWORKS Black\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/products\/gloveworks-hd-orange-nitrile-industrial-gloves\"\u003eGLOVEWORKS HD Orange\u003c\/a\u003e are more cost-effective options.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eWhat is the difference between Kimtech Purple, Sterling, Vista, and Polaris?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eAll 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.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eHow many gloves per box?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003e100 gloves per box for XS, S, M, and L. The XL (55084) contains 90 gloves per box by manufacturer specification.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eAre these the same as Halyard Purple Nitrile?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eHalyard 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.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\n\u003cdt\u003eWhat certifications do Kimtech Purple Nitrile gloves carry?\u003c\/dt\u003e\n\u003cdd\u003eFDA 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 \u0026lt;800\u0026gt; hazardous drug handling requirements.\u003c\/dd\u003e\n\u003c\/dl\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv class=\"wcs-trust-footer\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReviewed by \u003cstrong\u003eSteven Eaton\u003c\/strong\u003e, WC Safety Editorial — industrial and laboratory PPE specialist with 10+ years sourcing and evaluating hand protection for regulated healthcare, pharmaceutical, and research environments. Specifications verified against Kimberly-Clark Professional product data sheets and ASTM test standards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eWC Safety is an Amazon Associate. Clicking the buy button takes you to Amazon where pricing, availability, and fulfillment are handled directly. We earn a commission on qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n  \"@graph\": [\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Product\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/wcsafety.com\/products\/kimtech-purple-nitrile-exam-gloves#product\",\n      \"name\": \"Kimtech Purple Nitrile Exam Gloves, 5.9 Mil, Chemo-Cleared\",\n      \"description\": \"Kimberly-Clark Kimtech Purple Nitrile exam gloves, 5.9 mil, 9.5-inch cuff, ASTM D6978 chemo-cleared, AQL 1.0, FDA 510(k). Powder-free, latex-free. Sizes XS-XL. 100 per box (XL: 90).\",\n      \"brand\": {\"@type\": \"Brand\", \"name\": \"Kimtech\"},\n      \"manufacturer\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Kimberly-Clark Professional\"},\n      \"sku\": \"55082\",\n      \"material\": \"Nitrile\",\n      \"color\": \"Purple\",\n      \"isPartOf\": {\"@id\": \"https:\/\/wcsafety.com\/collections\/nitrile-gloves\"},\n      \"offers\": {\n        \"@type\": \"AggregateOffer\",\n        \"priceCurrency\": \"USD\",\n        \"lowPrice\": \"19.80\",\n        \"highPrice\": \"27.75\",\n        \"availability\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\/InStock\",\n        \"seller\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"WC Safety\"}\n      }\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\n      \"itemListElement\": [\n        {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 1, \"name\": \"Home\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/wcsafety.com\"},\n        {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 2, \"name\": \"Nitrile Gloves\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/wcsafety.com\/collections\/nitrile-gloves\"},\n        {\"@type\": \"ListItem\", \"position\": 3, \"name\": \"Kimtech Purple Nitrile Exam Gloves\", \"item\": \"https:\/\/wcsafety.com\/products\/kimtech-purple-nitrile-exam-gloves\"}\n      ]\n    },\n    {\n      \"@type\": \"Review\",\n      \"@id\": \"https:\/\/wcsafety.com\/products\/kimtech-purple-nitrile-exam-gloves#editorial-review\",\n      \"reviewRating\": {\"@type\": \"Rating\", \"ratingValue\": \"4.8\", \"bestRating\": \"5\"},\n      \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Person\", \"name\": \"Steven Eaton\"},\n      \"reviewBody\": \"Kimtech Purple Nitrile is the industry-standard specification for regulated exam and hazardous-drug environments. 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