Very good points! Scientific supply companies can provide gloves made out of materials that are designed for some of the chemicals mentioned. They do not last forever - protection in some cases means slowing down the permeability. They are expensive, but should be changed well within the permeability rating time for the glove/solvent combination. As an example, in one accident with radioactive toluene, a single drop spilled on a latex clad finger. The individual immediatly stripped off the glove (less than 3 seconds elapsed time). There was already radioactive contamination on the skin of the finger tip, even though the glove wasn't torn!!! The latex was about as effective at stopping toluene as a screen door is at stopping wind! By the way, Toluene absorbs through your skin just about as quickly, and is a hepato-toxin - it goes to the liver and proceeds to destroy tissue!

On respirators, there are various cartridges designed for different chemicals. The paper "painters masks" are useless for solvent protection. A half face respirator with the appropriate cartridge is a must when working with some of these solvents, as well as LOTS of proper ventilation. (I have seen toluene exposively ignite from static electricity.) The respirator must be properly fitted to your face - a beard will compromise the protection abilities of the respirator, and using the wrong cartridge will be useless. Also, your lungs should be in good shape before you wear a respirator, as they are restrictive to airflow. There are battery/fan power assisted respirators available, and some of them work with a beard as well.

All this is not mere hysteria. Reactive Airway Dysfunction, Chemical Asthma, and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity can all occur from a single exposure, and the damage can often be cummulative over multiple small exposures. Gloves and a respirator may not be very macho, but either is having to use a bronchodilator spray and a portable oxygen tank to walk up a flight of stairs! Work safe!

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JCE
87 300E, 62k miles
Smoke Silver

[This message has been edited by JCE (edited 05-02-2000).]