Textiles are essential parts of people’s lives. Not all that long ago, people had to make their own materials for clothing and other necessities. This was a drawn-out, labor-intensive process that even required harvesting and processing plants by hand to get the raw materials to make fabrics. From there, people had to weave the fibers of the plants to make fabrics. Then, they had to use those materials to make the items they needed. When mass-produced fabrics, clothing, linens, and other products came into play, life became much simpler and more convenient.
Exploring an Overlooked Aspect of Fabric Production
People generally take for granted that the fabrics they purchase are safe for use. For the most part, that’s true. Still, several chemicals are used in creating fabrics and manufacturing clothing, bedding, and similar products. Those chemicals can be dangerous in high concentrations, and they’re known to emit potentially harmful gases. Therefore, people who work in production and manufacturing facilities often need a Single Gas Monitor to keep them safe from the dangerous emissions.
How Are Chemicals Used in Fabrics?
Numerous chemicals are used in fabrics and creating the products made from them. Those chemicals serve a variety of purposes. For one, certain types of chemicals are used to give fabrics vibrant colors and to make those colors last longer once the products reach consumers. Some help colors resist fading over multiple washes while others protect certain types of fabrics from fading due to exposure to the sun’s UV rays. People who work with fabrics and those chemicals may need a portable single gas detector to let them know if the resulting fumes are reaching dangerous levels in the air they’re breathing.
Chemicals are also used for other purposes in the textile industry. Some help keep fabrics sanitary and prevent the growth of mold, mildew, and other microorganisms. Others make fabrics more resistant to moisture. Certain types of chemicals are used to create the moisture-wicking fabrics that are becoming so popular. Fire-resistant clothing is also made using chemicals. All the substances used to make those fabrics may necessitate the use of a single gas detector to protect workers.
The Benefits and Disadvantages of Chemicals in Textiles
In many ways, chemicals are essential in the textile industry. They make clothing, upholstery, and other items last much longer than they would without chemical treatments. They can keep fabrics cleaner and even protect people from burns, to name a few of the benefits. Of course, there are disadvantages to using chemicals as well, particularly for the people who create materials and the products made from them. An MSA single gas detector can protect workers from the dangers of fumes from those chemicals.
MSA Single Gas Detector 