Comparison of chemical permeation data obtained with ASTM and ISO permeation test cells--I. The ASTM standard test procedure.

The two main permeation test methods used in testing the resistance to chemicals of protective gloves are ASTM F739-85 and the draft international standard ISO/DIS 6529. In this investigation the two test cells were used following the test procedure proposed in the ASTM standard method in order to study whether the results obtained are comparable. Two chemicals, toluene and 1,1,1,-tricholorethane, were tested with three neoprene gloves and two specially prepared neoprene materials. The collecting medium was nitrogen gas in an open-loop system with flow rates of 60, 90 and 120 ml min-1. The breakthrough time and permeation rate at steady-state were calculated as described in the ASTM standard test method. Breakthrough times were not significantly influenced by the flow rate of the collecting medium. The steady-state permeation rate, however, showed greater variation and the values obtained can be compared only on relative bases.