Safety Apparel vs. Protective Apparel

Donning controlled environment is each technician's responsibility before entering your critical environment. Committed to maintaining a high level of safety and particle reduction in your critical environment and the protective clothing worn by your team members is crucial to maintaining that environment. Comfortable protective clothing for your oerator's increases operator efficiency. Valutek has designed apparel to provide operator safety, while preventing operator generated contamination from entering your critical environment space. 
First, it is necessary to understand the difference between PPE (personal protective equipment) and critical environment CE (critical environment) apparel. Not all PPE apparel is engineered to maintain a critical environment. Consider these statements to determine if your PPE apparel is compatible and safe for use in a critical area. 

What is the intent or purpose of the apparel according to the manufacturer? 

• CE apparel- Is designed to protect the wearer and to protect the critical product & process from contamination. 
• PPE apparel- Protects the wearer from contamination but may add to contamination of the environment. 

Packaging Matters. 

• CE apparel- Apparel shipped in coated chipboard boxes prevents chipboard contamination on the product. The apparel comes wrapped in two sealed bags. Disposal of the outer bag and the box before removing the contents in the gown room further reduces the likelihood of contamination.  
• PPE apparel- Items come in an uncoated chipboard box. Particles of chipboard often contaminate the clothing. The packaged apparel rests in one plastic bag or directly in the box, assuring contamination.

What about labeling?

• CE apparel- The carton has outside labeling indicating the contents are for a critical environment. A parts number and a lot number show up on the inner plastic bag. With this safety measure, contents can be tracked, as per FDA tracebility requirements.
• PPE apparel- There are no specifications on a generic box. There are no part numbers or lot numbers included with the shipment. 

How does PPE apparel construction differ from CE apparel?

• CE apparel- This apparel has bound seams for comfort and to assure particles do not escape into the critical environment. The individually flat-folded clothing prevents unnecessary handling. It is ready for easy dispensing and donning in the gown room. 
• PPE apparel- Protective clothing with serged seams, is less secure and allows for more particle penetration. Clothing rolled or folded together requires handling to separate before being worn. Handling increases the likelihood of contamination.