: PERSONAL:
PROTECTIVE '
EQUIPMENT GUIDE
CHOOSING
CHEMICAL-
RESISTANT
PPE
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jany pesticide labels instruct the user to
Iwear personal protective equipment (PPE)
— clothing and devices that protect the body
from contact with pesticides or pesticide
residues. Some labels require the use of
chemical-resistant PPE — items that the
pesticide cannot pass through during the time
it takes to complete the task. The labels of a
few pesticides, .such as some fumigants,
prohibit the use of chemical-resistant PPE.
Most chemical-resistant PPE items are
plastic or rubber. But not all these materials
are equally resistant to all pesticides and
under all conditions.
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Chemical Resistance
Three factors affect a material's chemical
resistance: the exposure time, the exposure
situation, and the chemical properties of the
pesticide product to which the material is
exposed.
Exposure time
Not all types of materials that are resis-
tant to a particulajtpesticide.will,prpyide ,.„ „;
protection for the'same amount of time. Some
will keep therpesticlde. out.for a long timei" ~""it
Others will allow the pesticide to reach the
skin fairly quickly. Disposable plastic gloves,
rshoe covers, or aprons may provide enough^-'-^-f
protection for tasks that can Be done in a few~^
minutes. Longer jobs usually require items
made of a more resistant material.
A pesticide begins to move into a material
as soon as it gets on the surface. The pesticide
continues to move into and through the
material until the pesticide is removed. Help
prevent pesticides from getting through
chemical-resistant items, such as gloves,
boots, and aprons, by regularly rinsing off
pesticides that are splashed or spilled on
-them. —
Any plastic or rubber material is
resistant to dry pesticides and to .water-
based pesticides (those that use water as
the only diluent or solvent).
Dry pesticides include dusts, granules,
pellets, and some baits. Water-based pesti-
cides include wettable powders, soluble
powders, some solutions, dry flowables (water-
dispersible granules), and microencapsulated
pesticides.
Chemical resistance to non-wafer-
based liquid pesticides depends on the
type of solvent in the formulation.
Liquid pesticides, that are not water-based
may be emulsifiable concentrates, ultra-low-
volume and low-volume concentrates, low-
concentrate solutions, flowablesj aerosols, and
invert emulsions. Common solvents are
xylene, fuel oil, petroleum distillates, and
alcohol. If the label does not indicate the types
of materials that are chemical-resistant to the
pesticide product, select sturdy barrier-
laminate, butyl, or nitrile materials. Then
watch for _signs that the material is not
"chemical-resistant.
"•-•' -Sometimes it is easy to see when a plastic
or rubber is not resistant to a pesticide. The
..material may: ; .
B change color,
H become soft or spongy,
S swell or bubble,
13 dissolve or become jelly-like,
H crack or get holes,
H become stiff or brittle. *'!_
If any of these changes occur, discard the
item and choose another type of material.
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Chemical resistance is often stated in
terms of exposure time. For example, neo-
prene may be resistant to one solvent for 30
minutes or less and to another solvent for
more than 4 hours.
Exposure situation
A chemical-resistant material will not
continue to be protective if it is damaged. For
tasks that involve handling sharp objects or
walking through rough terrain, a sturdy
material would be necessary to resist punc-
tures or tears.
Type'of chemical
No single material can protect against all
a" material depends" on whether the pesticide is
liquid or dry, and what diluents or solvents
are used.
Choosing Chemical-
Resistant Materials
The pesticide label may state what materi-
als are chemical-resistant to the pesticide
product. If it does not, look for another source
of help' in making a selection7The Environ- ~
mental Protection Agency, the United States
Department of Agriculture - Cooperative
Extension Service, pesticide producers, or PPE
dealers may offer guidance.
Unless the pesticide.label directs other-
wise, do not use items that are made of— or
lined with — absorbent materials such as
cotton, leather, and canvas. These materials
are not chemical resistant, and they are
difficult or impossible to clean after a pesticide
gets on them. Even dry formulations can move
quickly through woven materials and may
remain in the fibers after several launderings.
Gloves and footwear made of polyvinyl
chloride (PVC) or rubber (butyl, nitrile,
neoprene or natural rubber) must be at least
14 mils thick.
Pesticides can leak through stitching1
holes and. gaps.in.seams,,,For,_chemical ,,.
resistance,:'choose^FE with sealed seamsT
materials
good choice for many situations.
Barrier-lami-
nate (Silver Shield®/
4-H®) gloves may be
uncomfortable and
clumsy to wear for
some kinds of tasks.
Try wearing fitted
rubber gloves over
barrier-laminate
gloves for comfort,
protection and
dexterity.
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