PENETRATION AND REPELLENCY OF CHEMICAL PROTECTIVE COVERALLS

Abstract

Present study was to evaluate chemical penetration and repellency of locally manufactured protective coveralls used by the workers of fertilizer manufacturing units. The research was based on laboratory work performed and completed at Dyeing and Finishing Unit, Nishat Mills Limited. The samples were evaluated for their chemical resistance at various laundering intervals by ISO 6530:2005 test methods. Chemical penetration and repellency of three different fabrics were tested against four different chemicals. The results showed that all the samples were unable to resist chemical attack and their condition, became even worse with repeated washing cycles. At 20th washing cycle, 98.5% chemicals penetrated synthetic fiber (polyester) whereas chemical penetration for blended fiber was recorded at 98.9% and for natural fibers was recorded at 99.1%. Similarly chemical repellency for natural and synthetic fiber was recorded at 0% whereas for blended it was recorded 1at 0.4%. According to the test results, out of all the three samples, synthetic fiber performed better against chemical attacks.