What is missing is the point that polypropylene and polyesters (and spun bonded garments) will not only act as fuel but can melt and increase the severity of burns. Small amounts in garments are not of significance. If static charge is not an issue and there is no open flame, then the choice is more open.
I used to do a demonstration of the melting of spun bonded garments to prove the point some years ago for hazardous waste site workers whom would all be wearing those ubiquitous white suits even in areas of open flames.
Zack
S.Z. Mansdorf, Ph.D., CIH, CSP, QEP
Consultant in EHS and Sustainability
7184 Via Palomar
Boca Raton, FL 33433
Mobile: 561-212-7288
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Jeskie, Kimberly B.
Sent: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 7:28 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Cotton content of jeans
Thank you Neal. This is data I can use to piece together a compelling story.
Kim
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of NEAL LANGERMAN
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 11:23 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Cotton content of jeans
Here are relevant data
Heat of Combustion kJ/g
Gasoline 47
Polypropylene 46
Polyester 31
Cotton 16
Here are ignition temps
Relative summary of the flammability properties of fibers:
Fiber | Heat of Combustion | Ignition Temperature |
Cotton | 3.9 | 255 |
Rayon | 3.9 | 420 |
Nylon | 7.9 | 575 |
Polyester | 5.7 | 560 |
Wool | 4.9 | 600 |
Zipro Wool (Treated with Zirconium, a heavy metal) | - | - |
Source: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) (Australia)
The conclusions are fairly obvious – Polypro and Polyester are solidified gasoline. Mixtures dilute the energy.
When I go to refineries and other “increased risk” locations, I wear only cotton.
In my reactives workshop, I discuss garment choice, in particular bras, underpants, and tee shirts!
It is fun to watch the facial reactions…..
I consider this one of the overlooked topics in lab/ pilot plant safety – I learned this lesson at production plants.
nl
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Standard confidentiality terms apply
NEAL LANGERMAN, Ph.D.
ADVANCED CHEMICAL SAFETY, Inc.
PO Box 152329
SAN DIEGO CA 92195
011(619) 990-4908 (phone, 24/7)
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Jeskie, Kimberly B.
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 9:23 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Cotton content of jeans
Here, scrubs are reserved for certain groups of people, but that’s a good point. It’s something I wouldn’t have thought to recommend for lab workers just because they are normally associated with these specific groups.
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Laurence Doemeny
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 11:50 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Cotton content of jeans
Why do they need to be jeans? How about a set of cotton scrubs. Inexpensive and serve the purpose.
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:dchas-l**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU] On Behalf Of Jeskie, Kimberly B.
Sent: Monday, July 29, 2013 3:45 AM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**MED.CORNELL.EDU
Subject: [DCHAS-L] Cotton content of jeans
Doing some back to school shopping this weekend, I had an aha moment. My traditional go to “uniform” for doing laboratory inspections has always included jeans. It’s becoming very difficult to find women’s jeans that don’t include some percentage of polyester and spandex (e.g. the magic ratio appears to be something like 70ish% cotton, 2% spandex and the balance being polyester). My assumption is that these blends would not hold up well to contact with corrosives and are not something you would want on your body during a fire situation. I’m wondering if this is something that organizations have had to factor into their training in recent years and if anyone has seen actual data about how the blends hold up against these kinds of hazards.
Kim
Kimberly Begley Jeskie, MPH-OSHM
Director, Integrated Operations Support Division
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
(865)574-4945 (work)
(865)919-4134 (cell)
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