The 'Glove Guy' Calls upon His Industry to Ban the Sale of Vinyl Gloves

 Steve Ardagh, the founder and CEO of Eagle Protect, known as “the glove guy” for his food safety leadership, has called on the glove industry to stop selling vinyl gloves. In a recent open letter, he pointed out that toxic chemicals like phthalates, which are often present in vinyl gloves and make up to 41 percent of a glove's weight, can leach from vinyl gloves into food and the skin of the glove wearer, causing long - standing systemic toxicity. The most recent consumer report (2024) tested grocery stores and fast foods and found phthalates in almost every food item of the 100 tested, often at high levels. Ardagh also mentioned that the use of vinyl gloves has various consequences, including potential health problems such as certain cancers, neurotoxicity, endocrine system disruption, and more. In addition, with environmental, social, and governance goals becoming more important, the direct and complete environmental impact of glove use is being considered, as numerous highly hazardous chemicals are utilized or released during vinyl gloves' manufacture, use, and disposal.