The flow of hazardous material through zippers or other material openings found in chemical protective clothing is called?

The flow of hazardous material through zippers or other material openings found in chemical protective clothing is called?

• A. Degradation
• B. Penetration
• C. Diffusion
• D. Permeation

Answer: (B)

Penetration is the flow through openings, gaps, or closures in clothing. When hazardous material moves via a zipper or other seam openings, it isn’t moving through the fabric itself, it’s passing through the gaps created by the closure. Permeation, on the other hand, is the chemical moving through the material at the molecular level (involving sorption, diffusion, and desorption). Diffusion is a step within permeation, not the opening path. Degradation refers to chemical attack that can weaken the barrier, but the specific flow through zippers is penetration.

Penetration is the flow through openings, gaps, or closures in clothing. When hazardous material moves via a zipper or other seam openings, it isn’t moving through the fabric itself, it’s passing through the gaps created by the closure. Permeation, on the other hand, is the chemical moving through the material at the molecular level (involving sorption, diffusion, and desorption). Diffusion is a step within permeation, not the opening path. Degradation refers to chemical attack that can weaken the barrier, but the specific flow through zippers is penetration.