Protecting the Wearer, Products and Processes

The controlled environments in laboratories or the pharmaceutical industry mean that people working in those environments, the products being manufactured or the production processes all need

protecting. To resolve this issue and to complete the trusted Tyvek® range, DuPont has developed the new Tyvek® Labo coverall that incorporates three functions: it protects the wearer, it protects the products and processes and it is comfortable to wear.

Tyvek® Labo, developed specifically for the laboratory and pharmaceutical markets, protects the wearer because it has an inherent barrier ensuring protection throughout the life of the garment

and is antistatically treated to dissipate electrostatic charges when the wearer and garment are earthed. The ultra smooth surface of Tyvek® repels particles. The suit is certified to type 5 and 6 and offers 1.3% particle hold-out for particles of size 0.6 micron based on the test method EN ISO 13982-2:2004. It offers a chemical permeation barrier to many low concentrated inorganic chemicals.

All these features combined maximise wearer protection.

Tyvek® is the ideal material because the continuous, strong, high density polyethylene fibres do not shed and it does not contain additives or fillers. Even after surface abrasion, the fabric retains a

high level of barrier thanks to the fact that the entire thickness of the fabric constitutes the ‘barrier’ itself. The design of the coverall itself has been created with protection and contamination in mind: with internal seams that help reduce thread contamination, tunnelled elastic cuffs and ankles and a well adapted ‘fit’ to the body and face mask. The garment is manufactured according to

very stringent quality assurance. The designers at DuPont have studied body shape as well as the stresses and strains affecting technicians working in these environments and have used their findings to develop a ‘feel good effect’ for the Tyvek® Labo garment that brings freedom of movement without dislodging the positioning of the suit. To ensure extra comfort the garment also incorporates a half elasticated hood for best facial fit. A slip resistant shoe cover system that is attached to the suit helps prevent the wearer from slipping.