Chemical protective clothing evaluation

An expert system, named "GlovES+," has been written to provide reliable selections of chemical protective clothing for a wide variety of chemicals. The system conducts "intelligent searches" which emulate a human expert s decision path in evaluating a large database from an electronic publication by Forsberg. 

Selection of polymers used in the manufacture of chemical protective clothing (CPC) is a complex task. It involves evaluating breakthrough times and permeation rates in conjunction with such task requirements as tactility and resistance to cuts and abrasion. But, it involves a more basic problem — that of deciding which polymer(s), in the absence of test data, might be most likely to resist permeation by a specific chemical. These decisions are faced not only by users of CPC (e.g., industrial hygienists), but also by poljnner chemists and CPC manufacturers. 

Currently, there is no information on performance testing of chemical protective clothing against carbamate nerve agents. Evaluation of fabrics used to prevent exposure to carbamate pesticides may provide guidance on selection of appropriate protective clothing. 

Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Emergency Medical Training and Preparedness Division (2002b) Medical aspects of chemical protective clothing an approach to evaluating worker fitness. Toxic Chemical Training Course for Medical Support Personnel Course Syllabus, September 30-October 4, 2002, Edgewood, MD 21010, PPE and Worker Fitness Tab, pp. 1-23. 

The second source of data is the third edition of Guidelines for the Selection of Chemical Protective Clothing. The work was sponsored by the U.S. EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard. The publication is organized in two volumes, the first of which contains an overview ofthe general topic of chemical protective clothing (CPC) and tables which can be used to properly select and use CPC. Twelve major clothing materials are evaluated in the context of about 500 different... 

The results of the first survey are used to determine the sampling strategy for a breathing zone survey. Data from the first survey can also be used in evaluating the adequacy of chemical protective clothing used by the technician. 

F1296-08 Standard Guide for Evaluating Chemical Protective Clothing F1301-90(201 l)el Standard Practice for Labeling Chemical Protective Clothing... 

The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) has introduced a number of test methods relating to protective clothing. For example, the ASTM F23 Committee on Protective Clothing has devised protocols for measuring chemical resistance of materials. There are not however, any comprehensive standards which list a minimum number of tests or chemicals to evaluate materials. 

Oakland, B.G., Dodd, R.B., Schabacker, D.J., and Clegg, L.X. (1992a) Preliminary evaluation of nonwoven chemically treated barrier fabrics for field testing of protective clothing for agricultural workers exposed to pesticides, Bull. Environ. 

The list is far from eomplete or eomprehensive. In most instances, the data on toxieity ean be obtained by loeating an appropriate Material Safety Data Sheet for the eompound. A quiek web search can identify the toxic levels for most eompounds. The site must be evaluated with respect to the levels of compounds, their toxicity and the likelihood of deliberate or accidental contact between workers on the site and the chemicals. A suitable level of protective clothing must be selected for all workers. 

American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM F1001, Guide for Selecting Chemicals to Evaluate Protective Clothing Materials, 1989. 

Persons Involved In Che application of pesticides have more opportunity to be exposed to the chemical than Che average citizen. For consideration of the safety of the workers. It Is Important Co determine Just how much exposure Is anticipated with each work assignment. It Is also Important to evaluate Che effectiveness of protective clothing and to determine the expected variability of exposure of different persons performing the same Cask. The method of dispersal of the pesticide and the type of formulation also affects the overall exposure. These data are helpful Co regulatory... 

Chemical Resistance of Protective Clothing - What Does It Mean and How to Evaluate It... 

F903-10 Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Liquids FlOOl-12 Standard Guide for Selection of Chemicals to Evaluate Protective Clothing Materials F1052-09 Standard Test Method for Pressure Testing Vapor Protective Ensembles... 

Chemical Resistance of Protective Clothing-What Does It Mean and How to Evaluate It 5 Standards and Requirements Related to CPCs 10 The Selection Process 15 Correct Use, Care, Maintenance, and Disposability of CPCs 25... 

---