Safety - Field Sampling: Principles and Practices in Environmental Analysis - page 97

4.6.4. Gloves
There are two general types of gloves, those designed to protect from heat and abrasion
and those designed to protect from chemicals. When handling chemicals or
environmental samples chemical protective gloves are used. These are either the familiar
surgeons' rubber gloves or a synthetic rubber glove often reputed to be more resistant to
chemicals. These gloves are not abrasion-resistant, and care needs to be taken to prevent
tears and holes, which render them totally ineffective. A second type of rubber glove is
the household type. This glove is more abrasion-resistant and often bulkier, making it
hard to handle equipment. It is not intended to be used to protect the wearer from
chemicals.
There are several important things to remember about chemically protective gloves.
Some chemicals are known to penetrate both the gloves and the skin, and enter the
bloodstream. For instance, it is known that amines and methyl mercury will penetrate
rubber gloves, penetrate the skin, and enter the bloodstream. No type of rubber or
synthetic glove can claim to give 100% protection from all chemicals. Indeed, it is
difficult if not impossible to determine which chemicals can pass through a glove and
onto or into the skin. Using gloves with a sense of impunity is dangerous, and hands
should always be washed thoroughly after handling chemicals or contaminated samples,
regardless of the type of gloves used [10].
4.6.5. Other Protective Clothing
In all sampling situations one must wear clothing that covers the body. As the severity of
the pollution increases, however, the protectiveness of the clothing must increase. Long
pants, a work shirt, and socks and boots are sufficient for agricultural field sampling for
plant nutrients. For a highly contaminated industrial site a “moon” suit with self-
contained breathing filters or tank of air is a must. The material of the suit must be
resistant to the types of chemicals, acids, bases, solvents, and volatile organic carbons
(VOCs) likely to be encountered in the contaminated field [11].
4.6.6. Decontamination
In agricultural situations, including soil sampling, clothing can be cleaned by normal
means. In fields contaminated with herbicides, pesticides, and other hazardous chemicals,
however, arrangements must be made for decontaminating persons, clothing, and
equipment at the field location. It is not responsible to allow workers to wear or carry
contaminated soil, water, clothing, or tools out of the field [9].
4.6.7. Bleeding
In many societies bleeding is considered bad and must be stopped immediately. In any
situation in which chemical or biological entry into the wound is likely, bleeding is good
because it washes out the affected area. In this case we are talking about a few milliters of
blood, not liters. The wound must also be thoroughly washed with soap and water,