March 11, 2019 - Iselin, NJ - Ansell, a global leader in safety solutions, announces the launch of MICROFLEX MidKnight XTRA, a nitrile exam glove that has been tested against both fentanyl and gastric acid to simulate real-world overdose situations. The glove features an elongated cuff for added coverage of the wrist and forearm and has a distinctive black color that allows wearers to easily see potentially hazardous powders on hands.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times more potent than heroin. In fact, a recent study from the National Safety Council shows the odds of dying from accidental opioid overdose in the U.S. now surpass those of dying in a car accident. Law enforcement and emergency medical services (EMS) agencies have become increasingly concerned about potential exposures while responding to medical calls, crime scenes, or during drug raids. As overdose victims may vomit, it is important that first responders not only ensure that their personal protection equipment (PPE) protects against fentanyl, but also against gastric acid. Hand protection that is also dark in color can further improve safety by making it easy to see if hands have touched potentially hazardous powders.
“More and more customers are concerned about fentanyl protection, and the PPE they wear has to stand up to the unknown situations they may encounter,” said Joe Kubicek, President of the Ansell Healthcare Global Business Unit. “We perform tests on our products to simulate real-world situations, and our MICROFLEX MidKnight XTRA is proven to protect against both fentanyl and gastric acid for more than 240 minutes. This ensures workers who encounter overdose situations are as protected as possible against the risk of exposure.”
MICROFLEX MidKnight XTRA’s soft, flexible nitrile formulation ensures optimal worker comfort, and it is fully textured for a secure and consistent grip. It is suitable for first responders as well as a range of workers who may come into contact with fentanyl or its analogues during the course of their work, including corrections officers, healthcare professionals, laboratory technicians, and janitorial staff.
Ansell worked with a leading A2LA ISO 17025-accredited, ISO 9001:2008-registered, DEA-compliant independent testing laboratory for the fentanyl tests and tested for exposure to fentanyl and gastric acid in accordance with ASTM D6978-05 Standard Practice for Assessment of Gloves to Permeation by Chemotherapy Drugs. In addition, MICROFLEX MidKnight XTRA meets or exceeds the NIOSH requirements for handling fentanyl and illicit drugs and complies with EN ISO Type B, EN ISO 374-5 and EN 421 standards.
For more information about MICROFLEX MidKnight XTRA, visit https://www.ansell.com/us/en/products/microflex-midknight-xtra-93-862. For more information on Ansell, call 800.800.0444 in the U.S. or visit www.ansell.com, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn. In Canada, contact Ansell Customer Service at 800.363.8340.
Drug overdoses killed more than 72,000 people in the U.S. in 2018, which was a new record, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control. For more information about fentanyl and fentanyl safety, visit https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/fentanyl
About Ansell
Ansell is a world leader in providing superior health and safety protection solutions that enhance human well-being. The world’s need for better protection never stops, so Ansell is constantly researching, developing and investing to manufacture and distribute cutting edge product innovation and technology, marketed under well-known brands that customers trust.
Operating in two main business segments, Industrial and Healthcare, Ansell is the market leader that continues to grow, employing 13,000 people worldwide. With operations in North America, Latin America/Caribbean, EMEA and Asia Pacific, customers in more than 100 countries around the world trust Ansell and its protection solutions.
Information on Ansell and its products can be found at www.ansell.com. #AnsellProtects
