Abstract: A chemical protective garment or ensemble is disclosed that comprises a impermeable, protective cooling laminate having a water-holding layer for holding and evaporating liquid, and a chemical barrier. The water-holding layer has a water-holding capacity of at least about 5% wt., and the suit is designed to retain sufficient liquid to provide cooling to a wearer upon evaporation of the liquid from the suit.

Abstract: A chemical protective garment or ensemble is disclosed that comprises a impermeable, protective cooling laminate having a water-holding layer for holding and evaporating liquid, and a chemical barrier. The water-holding layer has a water-holding capacity of at least about 5% wt., and the suit is designed to retain sufficient liquid to provide cooling to a wearer upon evaporation of the liquid from the suit.

Abstract: A flexible, breathable, antistatic, non-flammable, filtering, non-linting, clean and cleanable composite laminate is provided. The laminate comprises a middle layer of a non-flammable fabric, preferably a polyamide or glass fabric, containing an antistatic agent, and a top and bottom layer each containing a sheet of porous, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene bonded to the middle layer by means of an adhesive between the middle layer and the top and bottom layers. Preferably the top and bottom layers comprise (a) a flexible, first layer of hydrophobic material having a moisture vapor transmission rate exceeding 1000 gms./m.sup.2 .multidot.day and an advancing water contact angle exceeding 90 degrees; and (b) a continuous hydrophilic layer attached to the first layer, the hydrophilic layer having a moisture vapor transmission rate exceeding 1000 gms./m.sup.2 .multidot.day and forming a barrier to passage of fluids with low surface tension, wherein the hydrophobic layers are both external to the middle layer.