Where can I find a SDS (Safety Data Sheet) for Tychem® 2000 SFR garments?
Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are written in accordance with applicable federal regulations, 29 CFR 1910.1200, to communicate health and safety data on usage and handling of hazardous chemicals. Under this regulation, DuPont™ Tyvek®, ProShield®, and Tychem® materials and garments are defined as articles, not chemicals, and the SDS and labeling requirements in that standard do not apply.
In what ways can I manage or prevent heat stress?
Chemical protective clothing can interfere with the natural regulation of body temperature. This can lead to a rise in core body temperature and heat stress. Implementing a conservative work/rest schedule or using a cooling system may be effective in reducing heat stress. (Note: Do not wear cooling vests in potentially flammable or explosive environments.) .)
Be aware of the symptoms and treatment of heat stress. If you or your co-workers have symptoms of heat stress such as nausea, dizziness, high heart rates, or excessive heat build-up, leave the work area immediately and remove the ensemble as quickly as possible after decontamination and seek professional care.
The maximum length of time the chemical protective clothing can be worn depends on variables such as the air supply, ambient conditions, climate inside the ensemble, physical and psychological conditions of the wearer, work rate and work load. The TLV® pocket guide from the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH, Cincinnati) provides corrected heat stress limits for some garments. Similar information is available on the federal OSHA web site (www.OSHA.gov). The WBGT correction factor for chemical protective garments is at least 10°C or higher for chemical garments made of impervious films (such as Tychem® garments) and covering the entire body (hooded coverall or encapsulating designs). For Tyvek® coveralls, the WBGT correction factor is 2°C with a hood and 1°C without a hood.
How should Tychem® 2000 SFR garments be stored?
Store Tychem® 2000 SFR garments in a cool, dark, dry location free of dirt and insects. Sunlight, ozone, high temperatures (>120® F ; 49® C), vehicle exhaust fumes, compression under heavy weights and sharp edges or projections are some conditions known to degrade the materials in these garments.
Will TYCHEM® 2000 SFR fabric burn?
When exposed to a flame, the TYCHEM® 2000 SFR fabric will shrink away. In the event that a flash fire occurs, TYCHEM® 2000 SFR garments will not contribute to additional burn injury if appropriate primary flame-resistant personal protective equipment is worn beneath. When the flame source is removed, the TYCHEM® 2000 SFR fabric will self-extinguish. However, garments made of TYCHEM® 2000 SFR should not be used alone in areas where protection from fire or electric arc is required. They are designed to be worn over primary FR garments and ensembles.
What is the ambient working temperature range for Tychem® 2000 SFR garments?
Tychem® garments can be worn in ambient temperatures of -13°F (-25°C) to 165°F (74°C).
In colder environments, Tychem® garments can become stiff. If cold enough, the fabric may even become brittle. Please be aware that the heat stress of the wearer becomes a greater concern in higher ambient temperatures. At higher temperatures, chemical hazards can become more aggressive. Breakthrough times and permeation rates may change at higher temperatures. The published permeation data per ASTM F739 is performed at ambient temperatures (approximately 72-81° F ; 22-27° C) unless otherwise stated.
Caution: Tychem® fabrics offer little or no thermal insulation to protect the wearer's skin from prolonged exposure to hot or cold.
Are Tychem® 2000 SFR garments latex free?
After January 2023, all DuPont Personal Protection product styles are manufactured under specifications that exclude components containing natural rubber latex.
Tyvek® 500, Tyvek® 600, Tyvek® 800 products manufactured before January 2023 did contain natural rubber latex which may cause allergic reactions in some sensitized individuals. Anyone who begins to exhibit an allergic response during the use of DuPont products should immediately cease using these products. The incident should also be reported to DuPont at +1 (888) 439-2988 so that an investigation can be initiated.
What is the difference between primary and secondary flame resistant (FR) garments?
Primary flame resistant garments are designed to provide stand alone protection from flame and arc exposures. Common examples are garments made with DuPont™ Nomex® Essential (Nomex® IIIA). Primary flame resistant garments selected based on the hazard analysis can provide protection from burn injury in the event of an industrial fire or electric arc exposure even when worn alone.
Secondary flame resistant garments are made with fabrics that are designed to resist ignition and to self extinguish once the flame/heat source is removed. Secondary flame resistant garments are not expected to contribute to burn injury if exposure to heat and flame occurs when worn over an appropriate primary flame resistant garment. However, secondary flame resistant garments (like ProShield® 6 SFR, Tyvek® 400 SFR, and Tychem® 2000 SFR) are not expected to provide any protection from burn injury to the wearer when worn without primary flame resistant garments underneath.
Can Tychem® 2000 SFR garments be used as primary flame resistant (FR) garments?
No. Primary flame resistant (FR) garments, such as those made with DuPont™ Nomex® IIIA fabric, can be worn alone to provide the necessary level of protection from a flame/thermal threat. Garments made of Tychem® 2000 SFR fabric are not substitutes for primary flame resistant protective garments. DuPont™ Tychem® 2000 SFR garments provide only secondary flame-resistant protection and are engineered to be worn over your primary flame resistant / thermal protective garments to provide barrier protection from inorganic acids and bases, industrial cleaning chemicals, and particles while not contributing to burn injury in the event of a flash fire. They must always be worn over an appropriate primary flame-resistant garment in an environment that needs flame protection, along with other personal protective equipment that protects your face, hands, and feet.
In what ways can I dispose of Tychem® 2000 SFR garments?
If not contaminated, Tychem® 2000 SFR garments may be landfilled or incinerated in accordance with local regulations. Uncontaminated chemical protective garments may be incinerated in a facility that is capable of handling mixtures containing plastics. Likewise, an uncontaminated chemical protective garment may be buried in a facility that accepts plastic materials. Tychem® 2000 SFR garments may contain several different materials; they are not suitable for recycling.
Contaminated garments that cannot be handled safely without protective equipment must be disposed of with other hazardous wastes, either through incineration or landfill per local regulations.
Before discarding, cut off a sleeve or a leg so the garments cannot be worn again as protective clothing.