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Development of performance criteria for protective clothing used against carcinogenic liquids. an interim report relating to benzene.

Coletta GC; Schwope AD; Todd WF

NIOSH 1977 Nov; :1-22

00133516

A test method was devised to evaluate protective clothing resistance to permeation of carcinogens, including benzene (71432), under continuous contact. A liquid permeation test cell was assembled containing a membrane that divided the cell into two chambers that exposed the material specimen to a carcinogenic liquid on one surface and a perspiration simulant on the other. Samples of perspiration simulant were withdrawn continuously or at intervals and analyzed for carcinogen. A steady state permeation rate was established by the linear increase in carcinogen concentration as a function of time. Twenty samples of protective clothing materials were evaluated for resistance to benzene. Neoprene (69028371) was the only material currently recommended for benzene use that prevented breakthrough for more than 10 minutes. Butyl-rubber (9010859) prevented breakthrough for more than 1 hour, and viton (58899) delayed breakthrough for more than 8 hours. The authors conclude that many workers are not adequately protected. Protection could be improved if comprehensive permeation data is used in the evaluation and selection of materials.

NIOSH-Contract; Biological-effects; Carcinogenicity; Organic-solvents; Chemical-properties; Exposure-levels; Workplace-studies; Work-analysis; Contract-210-76-0130

71-43-2; 69028-37-1; 9010-85-9; 58-89-9

19771101

Final Contract Report

Contract

1978

PB84-238211

A03

Contract-210-76-0130

DPSE

Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, Cincinnati, Ohio

OH