Disposable single use gloves- India’s deadly reuse trap

Hyderabad: Post-COVID, disposable gloves have become a widespread symbol of hygiene and protection across India. However, a dangerous misconception has taken root: treating these single-use gloves as "single-day-use" items—wearing the same pair throughout an entire day or across multiple tasks—instead of discarding them after each specific use. This improper habit poses a significant threat to public health and worker safety.

Gaurav Loria, Senior Vice President at Apollo Hospitals, emphasized the importance of proper usage. He stated that using separate gloves for each patient or medical procedure can reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) by 20-30%. The reuse of contaminated gloves facilitates the easy spread of microorganisms to other surfaces or individuals, accelerating infection transmission.