Short answer: nearly any kind of work where a tough, disposable barrier against contamination is useful.

In the past, a majority of industries that use gloves preferred latex gloves. This is due to it being recommended as the recommended glove to protect medical professionals from pathogens such as HIV.

Latex gloves were once the rock stars of the glove world. This was because of their high flexibility, comfort, and protection.

However, it wasn't 100% perfect, and it wasn't for 100% of the population. After its widespread use, a high number of allergic reactions to the latex rose. So manufacturers began producing nitrile gloves in response.

At first, nitrile gloves were stiffer and not as comfortable, but they have been closing the gap with recent advancements in their manufacturing process.

Gloves are an obvious necessity in any scientific setting. When you work with harsh chemicals or are at risk of infection with a bloodborne pathogen, it only makes sense that the gloves you use have a long shelf life.

Nitrile gloves typically have a five-year shelf life compared to the three years that latex gloves have. The whole point of using gloves is to protect yourself and others.

So why would you risk using latex gloves that have a shorter shelf life and degrade quicker when exposed to the environment?

Latex gloves are becoming obsolete due to either preference or force. Now, many places have begun requiring the use of disposable gloves. California recently joined states like Ohio, Arizona, and Hawaii in banning the use of latex gloves in the food service industry. How soon will it be before the ban spills over into other sectors?