Given a scenario involving a spill of an organic solvent, what is the most crucial consideration when selecting chemical-resistant gloves to prevent breakthrough and ensure worker safety?

The most crucial consideration when selecting chemical-resistant gloves for an organic solvent spill is the specific chemical resistance of the glove material to that particular organic solvent. This is determined by the glove's permeation and degradation resistance. Permeation refers to the process by which a chemical moves through the glove material at a molecular level, even if no visible damage occurs. Breakthrough occurs when the chemical has permeated through the glove and reaches the wearer's skin. Degradation is the physical deterioration of the glove material caused by the chemical, leading to a loss of its protective properties and potential tearing or weakening. Different organic solvents have varying chemical structures and properties, meaning a glove material that is resistant to one solvent may offer very little protection against another. For instance, nitrile gloves, commonly used for many chemicals, might offer poor protection against certain strong aromatic solvents like toluene. Conversely, butyl rubber gloves might provide excellent resistance to polar solvents but be less effective against non-polar ones. Therefore, to prevent breakthrough and ensure worker safety, one must consult a chemical resistance chart or manufacturer's data that specifically lists the tested resistance of various glove materials against the exact organic solvent involved in the spill. This data will indicate how long a glove material can provide protection before breakthrough is likely to occur.