DuPont Personal Protection (DuPont) has confirmed that its flame resistant (FR) Nomex fabric may be used alongside FR garments in response to the protection needs of COVID-19.
Available from DuPont partners, FR face coverings made with Nomex are suitable for use in the utilities, manufacturing, oil and gas and chemical industries and offer protection against flash fires combined with compliance with social distancing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Nomex’s FR protection is built into the fibre and cannot be washed out or worn away. When used as face, nose and mouth coverings, properly designed masks, balaclavas, gaiters and hoods made with Nomex could help to meet the CDC social distancing guidance on wearing masks in worker environments that also require FR protection, DuPont says.
“Masks made with Nomex help provide enhanced coverage with superior flame resistance,” said David Domnisch, global business director, DuPont Personal Protection. “Specifying a total FR solution with both a Nomex garment and Nomex mask is essential to help ensure worker protection. Many masks may meet the CDC’s guidance on face coverings, but don’t offer flame resistance. In fact, some masks may create additional hazards for the wearer because the masks could melt, drip or burn, causing other dangers. Now, more than ever, it is essential that the recommended PPE matches the challenges of the hazards at hand to help keep workers safe.”
DuPont recently hosted a webinar entitled: ‘Knowing protection better: Flame Retardant face coverings in times of social distancing’ with DuPont Thermal Apparel Technical Specialist Allie Fletcher. The webinar highlights latest guidance on face coverings, as well as FR and mask standards to consider for the industrial workforce, along with mask selection criteria considerations and associated resources.
