[labnetwork] Solvent Bench PPE

[Justin C Wirth]

Hi Katharine,

Here at Purdue at the Birck Nanotechnology Center, our required "solvent" PPE is both chemical splash goggles (ANSI Z87+D3, e.g.<https://automation.honeywell.com/gb/en/products/personal-protective-equipment/eye-protection/safety-goggles/uvex-stealth-retail>) and double gloving via latex gloves (Accutech 91-225<https://www.ansell.com/us/en/products/accutech-91-225>, are long enough to cover the cleanroom gown cuffs) on top of their cleanroom nitrile gloves (along with the cleanroom suit and face mask/veil).

The way we see it is:

  *   The double gloving is necessary, because you don't want users to get chemical residue on their gloves to transfer around to other surfaces in the cleanroom, or onto their phone and then face.
  *   The chemical gloves need to be long enough to cover the cuffs so there's not an accidental gap to get chemicals directly on their skin.
  *   The splash goggles are necessary because, while all the wet chemistry is done in a fume hood and there's a sash, sometimes users drop things unexpectedly and that may happen when they're trying to get a closer look at what they're doing.

We use regular solvents at our hoods (toluene, acetone, IPA), but also nastier things: HMDS, NMP, chlorobenzene, 2.38% TMAH developer, etc. We try to impress upon the users that even if they're only working with something that isn't that hazardous (e.g. IPA), someone else may be working with something much more so.

Thanks,
Justin

Justin C. Wirth, PhD
Senior Research Engineer - EBL Processes & Nanofab Process Integration
Birck Nanotechnology Center | Room 2287A
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From: labnetwork <labnetwork-bounces at mtl.mit.edu> On Behalf Of Katharine Beach
Sent: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 8:29 AM
To: labnetwork at mtl.mit.edu
Subject: [labnetwork] Solvent Bench PPE

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Greetings,

At the LNF we are evaluating our Solvent Bench PPE requirements. I've been tasked with comparing our current PPE requirements with that of our peers'. If you would be so kind as to share links to this information, or just your requirements that would be greatly appreciated.

Our current requirements are to wear your safety glasses, these should alway be on in the Cleanroom, and a pair of polychloroprene gloves in addition to the base nitrile gloves.

Thanks you,
Katharine Beach


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Katharine Beach

Lead Research Engineer

Lurie Nanofabrication Facility

University of Michigan

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