Question:
What
is Anthrax?
Answer:
Anthrax
is a spore forming bacterium; it is not the same thing as a chemical
agent. Chemical agents such as Sarin or Mustard gas are poison
and cause death from paralyzing the central nervous system. Anthrax
is a bacterium that gets into the body and reproduces like pneumonia
or other infectious diseases.
Question: Will N-DEX® or other Best® gloves protect from
Anthrax exposure?
N-DEX gloves are one part of a total ensemble and may protect
the skin exposure route only. They will not provide protection
from inhalation of Anthrax. Best N-DEX gloves have been tested
for protection from viral penetration. This testing is the only
standard accepted method for blood borne pathogens and uses Bacteriophage
Phi-X 174 as the biological model. The testing performed is a
biological test for something as small as a virus. Viruses are
NOT the same thing as bacteria. The Bacteriophage Phi-X 174 virus
is the smallest known virus (0.027 micrometers in size) while
spore-forming bacteria may be relatively large, up to 500 microns
in size.
Anthrax, a spore forming bacterium
named Bacillus anthracis (Anthrax), is small (from 1 to 5 micrometers
in size) the most dangerous spores are fine enough to be inhaled.
This form of Anthrax is still about 30 to 180 times larger than
the Bacteriophage Phi-X 174 model virus particle that we tested.
So, it makes sense that if the glove protects from viral penetration
to Bacteriophage Phi-X 174, then the Anthrax Bacteria should
not penetrate.
We have not tested the actual
Anthrax bacteria, but the model virus data, adheres to ASTM
F 1671 "Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials
Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Blood-Borne Pathogens
Using Phi-X 174 Bacteriophage Penetration as a Test System."
So, for applications such as letter handling or collecting specimens
for analysis of Anthrax contamination or for decontamination
using bleach, the N-DEX glove would be highly recommended. It
is much preferred to use a glove in these applications that
is closefitting in the wrist since fine powders can find their
way down inside a glove that does not fit closely in the wrist.
This information is based upon technical data that Best Manufacturing
Company believes to be reliable. It is subject to revision as
additional knowledge and experience are gained. Best makes no
guarantee of results and assumes no obligation or liability
in connection with this information.
Sincerely,
Don Groce
Best® GloveTechnical Product Specialist
October 18, 2001