DuPont™ Tychem® Difference

If operators' risks are to be minimized, protective garments used against harmful industrial chemicals must not only be exceptional in terms of barrier performance; they must also provide adequate durability and comfort levels. DuPont's Tychem® portfolio of chemical protective suits has been developed to bridge the gaps between protection, comfort and durability while protecting workers against numerous chemical hazards. With most industrial processes and cleaning operations, it is impossible to guarantee that workers will not experience accidental chemical exposure, and in cases such as accidental splashes or decontamination work, there is always a need for continuous protection against all known, expected and potential hazards.

The Importance of Doing It Right

Various performance fabrics are available for use in chemical protective clothing. However, not all chemical protective garments are the same, and some of these fabrics may be more effective against different chemicals and chemical concentrations than others. For this reason, it is absolutely necessary to obtain chemical performance data from the relevant protective garment manufacturer. Just as it must be understood that different fabrics have different protective capabilities, it must never be forgotten that no garment and no fabric can provide definitive or unlimited protection against all chemical risks in any situation. These facts make the selection of appropriate chemical protection PPE (personal protective equipment) a complex, serious and potentially consequential undertaking.

Balance

In almost every situation, there will be a comfort/protection balance that must be considered when providing adequate PPE against chemical hazards, and this is a matter that requires careful attention to detail. The aim should be to always provide the best possible protection while guaranteeing that the use of such protective equipment will not lead to greater hazards. High-performance PPE garments can introduce new risks related to physiological and psychological stress while offering effective chemical protection. For example, the life-threatening risk of hyperthermia from unventilated protective garments ('heat stress') has been documented in detail. Similarly, the psychological effects associated with tight, cumbersome and sometimes claustrophobic work clothing, though perhaps less thoroughly documented, are entirely real concerns. Anything that could negatively affect the decision-making of an operator in an extremely dangerous and extremely stressful environment must be taken very seriously.

Comfortable Protection

In addition to the physical and mental risks associated with uncomfortable PPE, there is the matter of reduced user productivity and a tendency to wear the garment incorrectly, and both of these are important considerations that must be included in the garment selection process. Taking all of this into account, when selecting clothing for resistance to harmful chemicals and for other highly risky environments, all of these factors make the "user comfort" factor critically important.

Durability Alongside Protection

When it comes to selecting appropriate chemical protective garments, another critical issue concerns the fabric's strength and durability. Protective clothing must be selected to be strong and durable enough to withstand the challenges of the protection offered. Indeed, even the best protective barriers become ineffective when penetrated, torn or worn through. However, strength and durability are fabric properties that typically conflict with user comfort and mobility. While it may theoretically be possible to improve user comfort and capability with certain fabric types by reducing fabric or coating thickness, this compromises the protection offered and the garment's service life, which is not an acceptable compromise. Strong barrier membranes may meet certain technical standards and offer acceptable barrier performance in controlled laboratory test environments. However, when evaluated on the basis of wearability and durability, they may still perform at unacceptable levels. For example, most fabrics are not only highly uncomfortable and restrict movement, but many are also prone to developing cracks over time. The presence and detection of such microcracks can be very difficult, and they play a significant role in barrier degradation under actual working conditions.

The Tychem® Difference

DuPont's Tychem® portfolio of chemical protective suits has been developed to bridge the gaps between protection, comfort and durability while protecting workers against numerous chemical hazards. Tychem® fabrics are designed for durable protection even under harsh conditions, and all garments undergo rigorous testing performed by independent organizations before approval for use. Tychem® fabrics, which have been subjected to leakage testing against numerous toxic solids, liquids and gases, protect users against direct exposure to hundreds of potentially toxic and harmful chemicals from industrial, biological, military, medical and other sources. The Tychem® series provides protection against numerous toxic substances, concentrated chemicals (even pressurized ones), very small particles, biological hazards and chemical warfare agents. All Tychem® suit types come with innovative design features and comprehensive certified accessories. It is designed to be strong and lightweight while providing flexible, unrestricted movement and ergonomic fit. In certain chemical exposure situations, the new Tychem® 4000S suits may be the appropriate choice. This latest addition to the Tychem® collection continues the brand's protective tradition while adding something more: industry-leading user comfort and mobility. The new Tychem® 4000S fabric, based on DuPont's renowned Tyvek® fabric that provides effective, lightweight protection for countless operators worldwide, is much softer and lighter than elastomer-based materials typically found in competing garments. With an average garment weight of just 700 grams, the groundbreaking Tychem® 4000S fabric's natural elasticity and dimensional stability make it much more comfortable and easier to wear in the stressful situations operators typically encounter when working in hazardous environments.

Summary

In addition to providing the necessary protection to the user, wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) for chemical protection can continuously create a significant barrier to worker performance, communication and comfort. In many cases, providing high-level personal protection comes at a high cost in terms of operator comfort and productivity, and if not carefully managed, these can be conflicts that create a tendency toward other suits that are avoided, misused or informally modified, which can expose field operators to greater risks. DuPont's Tychem® family of protective garments is lightweight, flexible and resistant to tearing and abrasion while providing CE-certified chemical protection up to Category III, Type 3-B, 4, 5 and 6. When selecting a protective suit, PPE specialists must never forget that an uncomfortable operator is unhappy, and an unhappy operator is likely to be unproductive and probably unsafe.

Did You Get All Your Answers or Do You Need Help?

When it comes to selecting personal protective equipment against harmful industrial chemicals, experts must be aware that protective garments are a last line of defense against direct physical contact with substances that can be extremely dangerous. For this reason, great care must be taken in determining the best protective garments. The fact that a garment 'passed' a static test under controlled laboratory conditions does not necessarily mean it is suitable for a particular work situation. Individual working conditions can vary significantly, and each situation or event must be considered on its own merits to ensure the best assessment of risk, protection, durability and comfort. Do not rely on protective suits (or any PPE) selected merely by looking at a website or literature. Optimal and safest personal protective equipment selection requires proper assessment, detailed understanding of risk, and comprehensive knowledge of personal protection principles, technical standards and equipment performance.

Get the Answers You're Looking for Now – Professional Support

DuPont, a world leader in personal protection, has been providing solutions above the world's safety needs with the best technology and innovations for 40 years. DuPont Personal Protection offers comprehensive support in protective garment selection and chemical risk assessment, along with training on the use of protective clothing. A customized selection service is available for all Tyvek® and Tychem® protective garments. Figen Ersezer / DuPont Chemical & Thermal Protection Turkey & Israel Product Manager Tyvek® & Tychem® & Nomex®