Performance Evaluation of Protective Clothing Against Toxic Industrial Chemicals

Abstract

There are two possible solutions to avoid skin resorption of toxic industrial chemicals (TIC). An impermeable overgarment provides effective and reasonable protection, but it is naturally not breathable and presupposes physical stress for the wearer and thus limited work capabilities. In contrast, a semipermeable overgarment containing an adsorption layer currently based on activated carbon is more suitable, because it allows the transfer of corporal heat and dissipates perspiration from the skin. However, it cannot provide the same level of protection against all kinds of TIC. Consequently, an evaluation of the performance of a commercially available overgarment is presented in this study.

Curable Imidazolium Poly(ionic liquid)/Ionic Liquid Coating for Containment and Decontamination of Toxic Industrial Chemical-Contacted Substrates

“…Containment and decontamination procedures for TICs vary with the specific contaminant of interest; however, the principal method of limiting exposure of first-responders and technicians to these chemicals is the utilization of adsorbents. Specifically, activated carbon is frequently employed in protective garments that act as barrier materials but have limited lifespans due to the uptake capacity of the sorbent. , Activated carbon exhibits an affinity for a range of organic compounds and is thermally stable and resistant to degradation in both acidic and basic environments . However, current adsorbent materials provide inadequate protection, as not all TICs are strongly adsorbed.…”

“…Specifically, activated carbon is frequently employed in protective garments that act as barrier materials but have limited lifespans due to the uptake capacity of the sorbent. 6,7 Activated carbon exhibits an affinity for a range of organic compounds 6 and is thermally stable and resistant to degradation in both acidic and basic environments. 3 However, current adsorbent materials provide inadequate protection, as not all TICs are strongly adsorbed.…”

Design and Preparation of Porous Meta-Aramid Fibers Filled with Highly Exposed Activated Carbon for Chemical Hazard Protection Fabrics

“…Chemical hazards have become a part of industrial production and emergency accidents, such as industrial chemical production, chemical spillage accidents, and chemical warfare agents (CWAs). − Functional clothing can help protect people from environmental hazards. − Especially, chemical protective clothing (CPC) is of vital importance to the chemical hazard safety of the chemical personnel involved. − CPC is classified as fully enclosed and selectively permeable according to the protective mechanism. − The former is fabricated with rubber-based composites that can provide excellent protection against chemical hazards in severe environments, while its lost permeability for air and heat causes reduced wear comfort and then affects the working efficiency. , For selectively permeable CPC, its ability to protect human beings from hazardous gas was achieved based on the rejection effect of a porous membrane. − Meanwhile, the permeability of this membrane matrix also offered enough channels for air passage, ensuring good breathability. In addition, considering the comfort in wearing and the working efficiency, emerging fabric-based absorption materials with better air permeability and desired flexibility are also regarded as more prospective choices to fabricate CPC. − …”

Advances and applications of chemical protective clothing system

“…Currently, activated carbon-based textiles are extensively used for military and civilian purposes as chemical barrier clothing. Textile combined with activated carbon allow the transmission of corporal heat and dissipate perspiration from the skin as well as provide effective protection against hazardous chemical agents through adsorption on textile and activated carbon surfaces [12,13].…”