The process by which protective garments lose their protective properties due to exposure to chemical substances, or heat or sunlight is called?

• A. Sorption
• B. Hydration
• C. Oxidation
• D. Degradation

Answer: (D)

Degradation is the process where protective garments lose their ability to protect because the material breaks down under exposure to chemicals, heat, or sunlight. This can happen as chemicals attack the fibers or coatings, heat accelerates aging and softens or embrittles the fabric, and UV light causes chain damage in polymers. The result is reduced barrier performance, including increased permeation, cracking, or loss of strength.

Sorption is just uptake of substances into or onto the material, which can lead to contamination but doesn’t by itself describe the overall loss of protective properties. Hydration is water absorption, a specific subset of changes. Oxidation is one mechanism that can drive degradation, but the broad term for the process described is degradation.