Feasibility of Using Radioactive Tracers for Studies of Permeation of Chemicals through Protective Clothing Materials
Abstract
This report describes the examination of the feasibility of using radioactive tracers, i.e., carbon 14, in studies of permeation of chemicals through protective clothing. The primary method in the feasibility study has been microscale autoradiography. The technique, well known from biological science, has been modified for work with highly diffusible chemicals and polymers. As a result, the concentration profile inside the material from a given carbon 14 labeled permeant is obtained for one specific chemical exposure time. Separate experiments, using different chemical exposure times, yield visual information on the propagation versus time of the permeant front inside the test material. The present technique uses a layered 'sandwich' to maintain contact between the test material during film exposure while minimizing evaporative losses. The individual steps in the technique are carried out at temperatures between -40 and -130 degrees centigrade. Calibration of the autoradiographic results is mainly based on 'diskotomy,' i.e., slicing of the test material parallel to the exposed surface followed by determination of the carbon 14 activity in the individual slices. Dry combustion of exposed aliquots of the test material followed by liquid scintillation counting of the evolved and trapped carbon 14 carbon dioxide has also been used with success in the calibration and in the determination of decontamination efficiency.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA246192
Entities
People
- Christian Ursin
- Iver Drabaek