By Essie Osborn
You have probably seen a head to toe one-piece white garment, made of what seems to be a kind of plastic, worn by a mechanic, a construction worker, or a cleanup crew in a laboratory setting. These outfits are Tyvek coveralls. Offering basic protection against airborne particulates, aerosol hazards, and some dangerous liquids, these industrial garments save lives in many fields.
Many protective clothing materials are manufactured by taking a simple fabric, and adding another more complex layer of protective film, separate from the textile itself. Typically, a fabric will be coated or lined with a layer of protective materials. However, with Tyvek the barrier is flashspun right into the threads of the textile itself, so that it can't be scratched or worn away.
Some coveralls have open wrists and ankles, whereas others offer an elastic closure at these extremities. The elastic causes the fabric to hug the wearer's joints. That means additional protection, and less chance there is of a hazardous substance making its way inside the suit, where it can become dangerous.
Dry particles like lead or asbestos are stopped by this fabric, which makes these affordable garments popular for construction, painting, and insulation installation jobs. It allows water vapor to permeate, which makes it breathable and comfortable, but still offers some protection against liquids. However, for jobs or projects where chemical splashes and other highly hazardous liquids will be present, more expensive and more elaborate safety gear is a smart choice.
One of the hazards of protective clothing happens after the job, when the garments need to be cleaned. However, with Tyvek, this isn't a problem, as the coveralls are designed to be disposable. By getting rid of the outfits after they've been exposed to hazardous substances, you are protecting everyone, even your cleanup crew.
These practical protective garments are the first wearable uses of the Tyvek material, but the distinctive look and drape of the material has inspired fashion trends as well. Shorts made out of this spunbond fabric have been sold direct to layman consumers by the youth-oriented retailer American Apparel, and avant-garde rock band Devo were often spotted onstage and in music videos wearing outfits made from this distinctly modern textile.
While this material isn't completely indestructible, it's designed to reduce the risk of accidental tears and snags. The highly dense fabric is difficult to rip. You can deliberately cut the fabric with scissors or a knife, but the coveralls are almost impossible to accidentally rip on a job site. The fact that it won't snare and rip in the course of work means that the wearer can relax, without worrying about unexpected exposure.
When compared against many other synthetic materials, this one is distinctly environmentally friendly, because of the DuPont company's Tyvek recycling program. Whether it's a garment that's been worn (in a situation where there hasn't been exposure to hazardous materials), or it's simply a used object, like a USPS Priority Mail envelope, if the item is made of Tyvek, the same company that manufactures the item will accept it for recycling.
Many protective clothing materials are manufactured by taking a simple fabric, and adding another more complex layer of protective film, separate from the textile itself. Typically, a fabric will be coated or lined with a layer of protective materials. However, with Tyvek the barrier is flashspun right into the threads of the textile itself, so that it can't be scratched or worn away.
Some coveralls have open wrists and ankles, whereas others offer an elastic closure at these extremities. The elastic causes the fabric to hug the wearer's joints. That means additional protection, and less chance there is of a hazardous substance making its way inside the suit, where it can become dangerous.
Dry particles like lead or asbestos are stopped by this fabric, which makes these affordable garments popular for construction, painting, and insulation installation jobs. It allows water vapor to permeate, which makes it breathable and comfortable, but still offers some protection against liquids. However, for jobs or projects where chemical splashes and other highly hazardous liquids will be present, more expensive and more elaborate safety gear is a smart choice.
One of the hazards of protective clothing happens after the job, when the garments need to be cleaned. However, with Tyvek, this isn't a problem, as the coveralls are designed to be disposable. By getting rid of the outfits after they've been exposed to hazardous substances, you are protecting everyone, even your cleanup crew.
These practical protective garments are the first wearable uses of the Tyvek material, but the distinctive look and drape of the material has inspired fashion trends as well. Shorts made out of this spunbond fabric have been sold direct to layman consumers by the youth-oriented retailer American Apparel, and avant-garde rock band Devo were often spotted onstage and in music videos wearing outfits made from this distinctly modern textile.
While this material isn't completely indestructible, it's designed to reduce the risk of accidental tears and snags. The highly dense fabric is difficult to rip. You can deliberately cut the fabric with scissors or a knife, but the coveralls are almost impossible to accidentally rip on a job site. The fact that it won't snare and rip in the course of work means that the wearer can relax, without worrying about unexpected exposure.
When compared against many other synthetic materials, this one is distinctly environmentally friendly, because of the DuPont company's Tyvek recycling program. Whether it's a garment that's been worn (in a situation where there hasn't been exposure to hazardous materials), or it's simply a used object, like a USPS Priority Mail envelope, if the item is made of Tyvek, the same company that manufactures the item will accept it for recycling.
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