How should PROSHIELD® 10 garments be stored?
Store PROSHIELD® 10 garments in a cool, dark, dry location free of dirt and insects. Sunlight, ozone, high temperatures (>120° F ; 49° C), vehicle exhaust fumes, compression under heavy weights and sharp edges or projections are some conditions known to degrade the materials in these garments.
Store PROSHIELD® 10 garments in boxes, in bags or on hangers. Never step on protective garments. Never place or store heavy objects on top of protective garments.
In what ways can I manage or prevent heat stress?
Chemical protective clothing can interfere with the natural regulation of body temperature. This can lead to a rise in core body temperature and heat stress. Implementing a conservative work/rest schedule or using a cooling system may be effective in reducing heat stress. (Note: Do not wear cooling vests in potentially flammable or explosive environments.) .)
Be aware of the symptoms and treatment of heat stress. If you or your co-workers have symptoms of heat stress such as nausea, dizziness, high heart rates, or excessive heat build-up, leave the work area immediately and remove the ensemble as quickly as possible after decontamination and seek professional care.
The maximum length of time the chemical protective clothing can be worn depends on variables such as the air supply, ambient conditions, climate inside the ensemble, physical and psychological conditions of the wearer, work rate and work load. The TLV® pocket guide from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH, Cincinnati) provides corrected heat stress limits for some garments. Similar information is available on the federal OSHA web site (www.OSHA.gov). The WBGT correction factor for chemical protective garments is at least 10°C or higher for chemical garments made of impervious films (such as Tychem® garments) and covering the entire body (hooded coverall or encapsulating designs). For Tyvek® coveralls, the WBGT correction factor is 2°C with a hood and 1°C without a hood.
Are PROSHIELD® 10 garments flame resistant or flame retardant (FR) ?
No, PROSHIELD® 10 garments are not flame resistant or flame retardant and should not be used around heat, flame, sparks or potentially flammable or explosive environments. PROSHIELD® 10 garments will ignite and continue to burn and melt.
In addition, PROSHIELD® 10 garments should not be worn under or over a garment made of Nomex® or any other flame resistant fabric, if the potential for fire or electric arc exists.
Are DuPont products silicone free?
Silicone oil is not an ingredient in DuPont Tyvek® and ProShield® protective apparel fabrics. Although DuPont specifies that threads and zippers used in Tyvek® and ProShield® garments be manufactured without the use of silicone oils, DuPont cannot guarantee the absence of silicone oils on these garments as threads and zippers can be the most significant source of silicone contamination. For end users with concerns about contamination with silicone oils or any other contaminants, the best practice is to audit in-bound materials, including garments, for those contaminants.
This information is based upon technical data that DuPont believes to be reliable. It is subject to revision as additional knowledge and experience are gained. It’s up to you to verify that the garment is suitable for the intended use. DuPont makes no guarantee of results and assumes no obligation or liability in connection with this information.
Where can I find a SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for PROSHIELD® 10 garments?
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are written in accordance with applicable federal regulations, 29 CFR 1910.1200, to communicate health and safety data on usage and handling of hazardous chemicals. Under this regulation, DuPont™ Tyvek®, ProShield®, and Tychem® materials and garments are defined as articles, not chemicals, and the SDS and labeling requirements in that standard do not apply.
Are PROSHIELD® 10 garments anti-static or static dissipative ?
The fabric used to make PROSHIELD® 10 garments is treated with a topical antistatic agent to help minimize static build up and reduce nuisance garment cling.
In situations where static dissipation level is a critical performance property, end-users should evaluate the performance of their entire ensemble as worn including outer garments, inner garments, footwear and other PPE. In order for any garment system to be static dissipative, it must be able to drain a charge buildup through proper grounding devices, such as, but not limited to, workstation grounding clips or static-dissipative floors.
Under certain conditions, such as cold and dry weather, it is possible that garments might build and discharge static electricity. Discharges are not normally dangerous except in situations where the generation of an electrical spark could ignite a flammable atmosphere or startle the wearer. When operating around flammable chemicals, take steps to eliminate potential static discharges. In these situations, suggested steps include, but not limited to, water spray, the use of an overcover, raising humidity level of the work area, use of a commercial, anti-static application coating, grounding straps on equipment and personnel, inherently static-dissipating under- and over-garments, and testing of the worker's static dissipation before entry into the classified area.
However, in the case of explosive or flammable atmospheres, even if steps are taken to manage static formation and dissipate static charge, the risk of severe injury remains if an uncontrolled or accidental ignition occurs. Do not wear PROSHIELD® 10 chemical protective garments in potentially flammable or explosive atmospheres. Do not knowingly enter an environment in which the concentration of flammable gas is within flammable or explosive limits while wearing a PROSHIELD® 10 garment. If you determine that you are in a potentially flammable or explosive environment, retreat immediately.
In what ways can I dispose of PROSHIELD® 10 garments ?
If not contaminated, PROSHIELD® 10 garments may be landfilled or incinerated in accordance with local regulations. Uncontaminated chemical protective garments may be incinerated in a facility that is capable of handling mixtures containing plastics. Likewise, an uncontaminated chemical protective garment may be buried in a facility that accepts plastic materials. PROSHIELD® 10 garments may contain several different materials; they are not suitable for recycling.
Contaminated garments that cannot be handled safely without protective equipment must be disposed of with other hazardous wastes, either through incineration or landfill per local regulations.
Before discarding, cut off a sleeve or a leg so the garments cannot be worn again as protective clothing.
What determines if the garment is contaminated? (3021)
The decision on whether or not a garment has been contaminated is made by local managers responsible for PPE based on an analysis of the incident in which the garment was used. This analysis may include exposure time, chemicals involved, level of exposure, proximity to the actual release, tasks performed, and environmental monitoring in the area in which the garment was worn. Garments that are damaged, altered, or show signs of contamination, such as discoloration, odor, stiffening or cracks, should not be used.
Are PROSHIELD® 10 garments latex free?
After January 2023, all DuPont Personal Protection product styles are manufactured under specifications that exclude components containing natural rubber latex.
Tyvek® 500, Tyvek® 600, Tyvek® 800 products manufactured before January 2023 did contain natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions in some sensitized individuals. Anyone who begins to exhibit an allergic response during the use of DuPont products should immediately cease using these products. The incident should also be reported to DuPont at +1 (888) 439-2988 so that an investigation can be initiated.