Workers involved in the production, use, and transportation of liquid and gaseous chemicals can be exposed to numerous compounds capable of causing harm upon contact with the human body. The deleterious effects of these chemicals can range from acute trauma such as skin irritation and burn to chronic degenerative disease such as cancer. Since engineering controls may not eliminate all possible exposures, attention is often placed on reducing the potential for direct skin contact through the use of protective clothing that resists permeation, penetration, and degradation.

This test method is only appropriate for chemical protective ensembles, such as totally encapsulating protective suits, that are designed and manufactured to prevent the inward leakage of solids, liquids, gases, and vapors. Garments designed to prevent the penetration of solid and liquid chemicals should be tested according to Test Method F 1359.

This non-destructive test method is useful as a quality control tool for manufactures and as a field method for end users to determine changes in garment integrity following use.

This test method is useful to end users for determining the integrity of vapor protective suits upon receipt from the manufacturer, prior to use, following use and decontamination, following repairs, and as a periodic maintenance test.