March 17, 2005

Ansell's New Micro-Touch® Smooth Nitrile Exam Gloves FDA Approved for Handling Chemotherapy Drugs

RED BANK, N.J. -- Ansell Healthcare Products LLC, a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products, today announced the launch of its new Micro-Touch® Smooth Nitrile powder-free, latex-free examination gloves.

The Micro-Touch® Smooth Nitrile exam glove provides excellent chemical and puncture resistance and is FDA approved for handling chemotherapy drugs. Healthcare workers are advised to wear an FDA approved glove when reconstituting a powdered hazardous drug or when diluting or concentrating liquid forms of these drugs.

Healthcare workers should also wear FDA approved gloves when administering hazardous drugs by intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous routes (implanted port devices, PICC lines, etc.) or if there is risk of any type of spillage of these drugs.

This non-sterile, 100% nitrile glove reduces powder and latex-related complications for both the healthcare professional and patient. Its smooth finish provides superior tactile sensitivity, while its blue color makes it easy to identify as a nitrile glove.

Micro-Touch® Smooth Nitrile exam gloves compliment the Micro-Touch® family of latex and latex-free examination gloves and is one of many new product releases planned by the company. In addition to the Micro-Touch® Smooth Nitrile, the Micro-Touch® line consists of:

• Micro-Touch® Affinity® - a textured, powder-free polychloroprene glove that provides the fit and feel of latex without the allergen concerns.
• Micro-Touch® Elite® - advanced soft stretch powder-free, vinyl glove that is excellent for low risk applications.
• Micro-Touch® ErgoGrip™ - a hand-specific (left/right fitted) powder-free latex glove with polymer coating for ease of donning.
• Micro-Touch® NextStep® - a textured, powder-free latex exam glove with glycerol that provides superior tactile sensitivity, fit and comfort.
• Micro-Touch® Nitrile - a textured, powder-free nitrile glove that is FDA approved for handling chemotherapy drugs.
• Micro-Touch® Plus - a textured, powder-free latex glove with polymer coating for ease of donning.
• Micro-Touch® Powdered - a smooth, anti-slip powdered latex glove.

Micro-Touch® Smooth Nitrile exam gloves are available in sizes X-Small, Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large and are packaged 100 Gloves/Box - 10 Boxes/Case.

March 17, 2005

Ansell Healthcare's New Micro-Touch® ErgoGrip™ Hand-Specific Exam Gloves Enhance Comfort, Fit, and Reduce Hand Fatigue

RED BANK, N.J. -- Ansell Healthcare Products LLC, a global leader in healthcare barrier protective products, today announced the launch of its newly developed hand-specific (left/right fitted) Micro-Touch® ErgoGrip™. Micro-Touch® ErgoGrip is a powder-free latex examination glove with a smooth, anti-slip finish that provides excellent tactile sensitivity similar to that of surgical gloves. Its polymer coating provides excellent dry and damp hand donnability.

Designed with the healthcare professional's daily work routine in mind, Micro-Touch® ErgoGrip gloves are produced on ergonomically designed formers to enhance fit and comfort and reduce hand fatigue. The economical cost of Micro-Touch® ErgoGrip gloves will benefit users who change gloves continuously throughout the day as well as those who perform procedures that do not require the use of more expensive, sterile surgical gloves, such as individuals in dental offices, emergency rooms, pharmacies, or hospital laboratories.

Additionally, as increased awareness of Carpal Tunnel becomes more prevalent among healthcare professionals hand-specific gloves that lower the risk of this musculoskeletal condition are deemed more desirable.

Micro-Touch® ErgoGrip exam gloves compliment the Micro-Touch® family of latex and latex-free examination gloves and is one of many new product releases planned by the company. In addition to the Micro-Touch® ErgoGrip, the Micro-Touch® line consists of:

• Micro-Touch® Affinity® - a textured, powder-free polychloroprene glove that provides the fit and feel of latex without the allergen concerns.
• Micro-Touch® Elite® - advanced soft stretch powder-free, vinyl glove that is excellent for low risk applications.
• Micro-Touch® Smooth Nitrile - a smooth, powder-free, nitrile glove with excellent chemical and puncture resistance and is FDA approved for handling chemptherapy drugs.
• Micro-Touch® NextStep® - a textured, powder-free, latex exam glove with glycerol that provides superior tactile sensitivity, fit, and comfort.
• Micro-Touch® Nitrile - a textured, powder-free, nitrile glove that is FDA approved for handling cytotoxic drugs.
• Micro-Touch® Plus - a textured, powder-free, latex glove with polymer coating for ease of donning.
• Micro-Touch® Powdered - a smooth, anti-slip, powdered, latex glove.

Micro-Touch® ErgoGrip latex exam gloves are available in sizes 6.5 to 8.5 and are packaged 50 Pairs/Box - 10 Boxes/Case.