| The selection of plastic suits and other protective | | | | its ability to keep you safe. Unfortunately, this is |
| garments should involve variables, such as the | | | | determined by the manufacturer rather than a |
| permeation, degradation, and breakthrough rates | | | | third party test. |
| of each material. This is determined through a | | | | Other Safety Points For Plastic Suits |
| standardized test called the ASTM 739 (American | | | | Many other factors can alter the ratings given to |
| Standard Test Method). The result of this | | | | protective clothing items like Tyvek Suits. These |
| determines the level of safety for each suit. One | | | | tests are performed in a laboratory so that all |
| example is Tyvek suits, which are suitable up to | | | | tests are equivalent to each other. However, its |
| the particulate matter and light chemical spray | | | | safety rating changes once the material is in used |
| safety level. Keep in mind, there are many | | | | in real life situations. Movement pulls the seams, |
| variables involved in the safety level of a material. | | | | stretches the material, and creates creases that |
| Breakthrough Rates And Permeation | | | | may lower the rating. Extreme heat or cold can |
| These factors of plastic suits involve the use of | | | | also alter its level of safety. |
| standardized tests that enclose the material in the | | | | Materials are tested with a single chemical of a |
| middle of a special cell. Chemical is applied to one | | | | standard concentration. In real life, you may be |
| side of the material from one side of the machine | | | | working with mixtures of different chemicals and |
| with specialized sensors on the other side. The | | | | concentrations that may significantly lower the |
| permeation rate is then determined by noting how | | | | effectiveness of protective clothing. The |
| long the chemical's vapor takes to enter the other | | | | permeation, degradation, breakthrough, and |
| side of the material. In general, the denser the | | | | saturation all change even between different |
| threading and thicker the material, the longer it will | | | | batches of chemicals. Be sure to have the |
| take and the higher its rating will be. The | | | | chemicals tested if you are unsure and ask for |
| breakthrough rate is calculated by determining the | | | | more data on materials. Also, keep in mind that |
| length of time it takes for the chemical to seep | | | | every manufacturer has a different process and |
| through to the other side of the material. One | | | | different material make up, even if the suit is the |
| good example is Tyvek suits. They have a lower | | | | same you always use. Each time you choose a |
| permeation and breakthrough rate, and therefore, | | | | different manufacturer, be sure to become |
| are best for particulates and some chemical | | | | familiar with the safety ratings of their products. |
| splash. | | | | Each chemical, environment, and job you work |
| Degradation Rating For Materials | | | | with requires you to reexamine the level of |
| When material is touched by a chemical, its | | | | safety for your plastic suits. In other words, if |
| texture, feel, and quality can be affected. For | | | | you use Tyvek suits for an indoor job, it may not |
| instance, some chemicals cause a change in the | | | | be satisfactory for the outdoor job you have |
| material of Tyvek suits, which lowers its ability to | | | | planned tomorrow. Cautions and decisions made |
| keep you protected. You need to know how a | | | | with solid information are the best tools you have |
| chemical affects the material, but also how fast it | | | | for safety in any situation. Don't assume one item |
| occurs. The material can absorb the chemical, | | | | will always keep you safe. |
| discolor, harden, and generally deteriorate, lowering | | | | |