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Animal Farming - Protective equipment & clothing protection against animal diseases
Animal diseases
Numerous outbreaks of animal diseases over the past few years have raised the issue of adequately protecting people from the cross-transmission of viruses, bacteria and biological agents.
Although typical viral diseases amongst animals (such as swine fever, foot and mouth disease and fowl plague) cannot be transmitted to humans, people working in close contact with infected animals, for instance farmers, vets or visitors, can easily carry the virus elsewhere. Many viruses are carried on skin, hair and clothing particles, and can remain active for extended periods.
The use of Personal Protective Equipment has 3 objectives :
- To prevent the spread of the disease into non-contaminated areas
- To avoid contamination and infection of workers or visitors in infected areas
- To address health and safety issues in the application of cleaning and disinfecting chemicals.
The choice of garment depends very much on the application :
Virus particles may be carried in dust. Therefore it is important to protect workers and visitors exposed to dust. TYVEK® Classic Plus garments can play a preventative role in human transmission by providing an excellent barrier and blocking out particles down to 1µm diameter. Many overalls, particularly those with inadequate seams, allow dust to permeate. Therefore, for better protection, particle-tight suits that include particle-tight seams and closures are recommended. With over-taped seams and the option to seal the zipper area with a self-adhesive flap, TYVEK® Classic Plus represents an optimal solution if no wet decontamination is required.
However, for vets, farmers or other workers who come into contact with live animals, infected faeces or body fluids or the bodies of dead animals, liquid impervious suits are recommended. These garments should also be worn when applying cleaning and disinfecting chemicals, for example Formic Acid. Garments should have liquid-tight seams and closures - which must remain liquid-tight during the entire working shift. As TYCHEM® C fabric has passed all relevant bio-barrier tests according to EN 14126 (at the highest performance levels), and the seams and closures of TYCHEM® C garments have passed a 2 bar liquid pressure test, TYCHEM® C garments represent an excellent solution.
Protection against disinfectants
It is good biosecurity practice to disinfect protective clothing after use. Indeed many countries have set special regulations (such as wet-decontamination of suits) to protect wearers of protective garments against various types of cross-contamination, and also to help reduce the spread of avian influenza viruses. DuPont™ Virkon® is an ideal disinfectant for decontaminating garments, and can also be used to disinfect wet contamination on suits made of TYCHEM® C. (more info available at www.ahs.dupont.com). The impervious fabric, seams and closures of suits made of TYCHEM® C apply to disinfectants as well as chemicals, biological agents, bacteria and viruses.
Other disinfectants with a high toxic potential may pass through garment fabrics on a molecular level. To act as a barrier against these disinfectants, garment fabric barriers need an additional barrier. TYCHEM® F provides an ideal barrier solution in these instances. TYCHEM® C and TYCHEM® F have passed the relevant bio-barrier tests according to EN 14126 at the highest performance levels. Both garments may be used to efficiently protect wearers, depending on the required chemical barrier.
Durability
TYVEK® and TYCHEM® garments are tough and resistant to tearing and abrasion. They therefore maintain a high level of protection.
Following garments could be used for this application* :
TYVEK® Classic Plus, model CHA5, Type 4B, 5, 6.
TYVEK® Classic Plus with socks, model CHA6, Type 4B, 5, 6.
TYCHEM® C Standard with socks, model CHA6, Type 3B, 4, 5, 6.
TYCHEM® F Standard with socks, model CHA6, Type 3B, 4, 5, 6.
For detailed technical information, please contact us.
*Whether a TYCHEM® / TYVEK® protective garment would be suitable for the specific conditions of an application can only be determined by the enduser himself.
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