Re: Skin Absorption and Protection

[ChambersD <chambersd@avrdec.stl.army.mil>]

Those of you in the power plant area have more experience than I in this area. 
Back in school I learned T is
absorbed through the skin.  Will Class A protective clothing stop T?  
     
Mark P. Winslow
US EPA Region II
     
Charts exist which define the HTO permeation characteristics.  The only 
materials listed as "excellent" are 0.03 cm thick butyl, and 0.03 cm thick 
Viton.  Neoprene, neoprene-rubber blend, nitrile, and natural rubber 
(0.038-0.056 cm thick) are listed as good.  PVC is listed as good in the range 
of 0.05 cm thick but fair at 0.025 cm thick and poor at 0.013 cm thick.  PVA 
(0.056 cm thick) is also listed as poor with the caveat that "Because PVA 
coating is water soluble, the properties of PVA gloves can be expected to vay 
depending on their long term exposure to moisture."
     
Technical criteria defining "excellent", "good" and "poor" are unknown.