Material/Source Features Pros Cons Polyester/Cotton Blend Liquid Resistance Appropriate for use in Polyester blends burn Splash resistant. clinical settings and readily when ignited, 80% Polyester / 20% No specific chemical resistance. research laboratories and are not appropriate Cotton, 65/35, and 40/60 Anecdotal evidence suggests polyester blends provide better protection against where biological for use with flammable are common blends. corrosive material than does cotton. material is liquids, pyrophoric Flame Resistance manipulated. materials, or near open No flame.  Lab Supply Polyester blends burn more readily than 100% cotton or flame-resistant Companies materials.  Chemistry Comfort Stockroom Lightweight and breathable.  Biology More cotton in the blend results in better breathability. Stockroom

100% Cotton Liquid Resistance Appropriate for use in Cotton lab coats should Not splash resistant. clinical settings and be supplemented with a  Lab Supply No specific chemical resistance. research laboratories chemical splash apron Companies Anecdotal evidence suggests cotton lab coats provide better protection from where there is light when corrosive material  Chemistry solvent contamination than corrosive contamination. flammable liquid or is handled. Stockroom Flame Resistance open flame use.  Biology No Stockroom Burns less readily than polyester blends. Comfort Lightweight and breathable. 100% Cotton treated with Liquid Resistance Appropriate for use in More costly than a flame retardant. Not splash resistant. research laboratories traditional 100% cotton No specific chemical resistance. where substantial fire lab coat.  Lab Supply Anecdotal evidence suggests cotton lab coats provide better protection from risk exists from Companies solvent contamination than corrosive contamination. flammable material  Manufacturers of Flame Resistance handling or open flame flame-resistant Yes use. garments. Flame-resistant (FR) fabrics and garments are intended to resist ignition, prevent the spread of flames away from the immediate area of high heat impingement, Laundering will not and to self-extinguish almost immediately upon removal of the ignition source. damage the flame Comfort resistant coating. Lightweight and breathable. Nomex IIIA Liquid Resistance Appropriate for use in Expensive. Flame Resistance research laboratories  Lab Supply Yes where there is extreme Companies When in contact with direct flame or extreme heat, fibers in the protective clothing fire danger from open  Manufacturers of enlarge, enabling greater distance between the user’s skin and heat source. flame, electrical arc flame-resistant Comfort flash, and pyrophoric garments. Breathable, but slightly bulkier than polyester blend or 100% cotton materials. material. Polypropylene Liquid Resistance Appropriate for use Offers no protection Not splash resistant. when protection from from hazardous  Lab Supply Flame Resistance dirt and grime in materials. Companies Not flame-resistant. nonhazardous Comfort environments is Very lightweight and breathable. desired.

Disposable.

Low cost. Microbreathe Liquid Resistance Appropriate for use in Inappropriate for use in Barrier to particles, biological fluids, and chemicals. clinical settings and environments with a  Lab Supply Flame Resistance research laboratories significant fire danger. Companies Not flame-resistant. where biological  Clean Room Comfort material and chemicals Supply Lightweight, breathable, and stretches to allow ease of movement. are handled. Companies Low particle count fabric is ideal for clean room activities.

Disposable.