Permeation of chlorinated aromatic compounds through Viton and nitrile glove materials.

The ASTM cell was utilized to study permeation of chloro-, o-dichloro-, and m-dichloro-benzenes and o- and p-chlorotoluenes through Viton (unsupported) and nitrile (supported and unsupported) glove materials using isopropanol as collecting solvent, and FID/gas chromatography for quantitation. Adequate mixing in the collection chamber was accomplished by externally agitating the ASTM cell at the required speed in a moving-tray water bath at 25 degrees C. The Viton glove did not show permeation even after 4 hours. The nitrile gloves showed breakthrough times of less than 1 hour. The steady state molar flux rates for unsupported or supported nitrile gloves, or for the different challenge solvents were not statistically different. Thus, breakthrough times were better indicators of permeation than steady state molar flux rates. A "mixed" permeation mechanism was proposed, depending on swelling of the glove material.