• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.39-53
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of an experimental protective clothing material with regard to comfort and isolation from the hazardous heavy metals produced in municipal waste incineration. An analysis was conducted on the total concentrations of heavy metals in some parts such as surface, middle layer, and interior for the treated fabric, and the untreated one, and working clothes. We conclude that the processed fabric with charcoal for working clothes showed the least exposure to heavy metals of the three. Working clothes worn by workers during waste incineration were much more contaminated than the untreated and treated materials. The material of working clothes could be chosen according to the function with regard to its original chemical characteristics, which are the proper results of the dyeing process. The processed fabric material has high degrees of moisture regain, thermal insulation, water vapor penetration, and antibacterial function; consequently, it is much more comfortable to wear. The fabric material proposed in this research contributed much more to blocking heavy metal concentrations (such as Cd, Pb, Cu, Cr, Zn, Mn) than did the fabric of working clothes at present. Consequently, we strongly suggest that the material of working clothes be upgraded by adopting the above-mentioned charcoal-processed fabric. Materials of working clothes must be improved to increase comfort and prevent harmful gas, flying dust, and heavy metals from permeating the fabrics.