Trichlorethylene Vapor Adsorption by Nonwovens that Contain Activated Carbon
SourceThe United States Army's chemical protective battle dress overgarment (BDO) acts as an insulator resulting in heat stress to personnel when worn in a desert climate. The purpose of the study was to develop and test an alternative vapor adsorption liner. The BDO liner consists of a polyurethane foam impregnated with 120 g/m2 activated carbon powder mixed in a slurry of latex with a 47.4 g/m2 (2 oz/yd2) nylon tricot knit flame bonded to one side. A 120 g/m2 activated carbon-nonwoven was developed and challenged with 1700 ppm trichloroethylene vapor. The activated carbon-nonwoven exhibited a higher vapor adsorption capacity to the Army's BDO liner but failed the Army's air permeability and bursting strength requirements. A continuous lightweight and thin membrane impervious to hazardous vapors but allowing perspiration vapor to penetration should be investigated as an alternative to the BDO liner.