An attenuated total reflectance (ATR) permeation cell has been used to eval
uate the permeation of polymer samples from chemical protective clothing (C
PC), mainly gloves, by several chemical types including a solvent, a commer
cial pesticide mix, and a volatile solid. Good contact between sample and A
TR crystal was ensured by the use of low gas pressure. The passage of the c
hemicals through the CPC sample could be readily followed by analysis of se
ts of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra measured during permeation
experiments. Diffusion coefficients could only be estimated. The ATR metho
d is compared with the traditional two-compartment cell used for evaluation
of CPC, and its advantages and disadvantages are discussed.