What Gloves Should Be Used for Polyurethane Spray?
- Polyurethane spray is a chemical composition of many different agents, the most dangerous being isocyanates. It requires special handling for safety and health protection. Exposure causes severe irritation to eyes, gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, and skin. Fatal asthma attacks and continuing breathing difficulty like cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness in chest are the worst consequences of exposure.
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires personal protective equipment and chemical protective clothing for workers handling chemicals and hazardous materials. It requires protection from and prevention of chemical contact with unprotected skin and other types of exposures that cause harm or death.
- Handling and applying polyurethane spray requires wearing a full face-piece approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, an air purifying respirator (APR) or a supplied air respirator (SAR), safety goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, chemical-resistant protective clothing like long-sleeve coveralls or a full body suit with hood, and chemical-resistant fitted boots or booties.
- Special gloves must be worn along with other protective equipment when handling and applying polyurethane spray to avoid any exposure to the chemicals. Fabric gloves coated in nitrile, neoprene, butyl, or PVC are necessary. These are all synthetic rubber-like materials that provide a flexible, impenetrable protective barrier for the skin on fingers, hands, and wrists.
- Nitrile gloves provide strong protection, are resistant to puncture and chemical penetration or absorption, and are durable and latex-free. In addition to protection from isocyanates, nitrile gloves are used in the medical industry for protection from chemotherapy and nuclear materials, and in manufacturing where there is chemical handling and exposure during production.
