In normal conditions, static electricity and electrostatic discharges (ESDs) aren’t anything to worry about. Children often play with static electricity, and ESDs, though a little painful, are generally not strong enough to cause any issues or injuries. However, static is a potential problem in some industries. From pharmaceutical through biotech and food processing to electronics, even small static charges can cause a number of serious issues.
The same static discharge that makes a balloon attract hair or gives you a shock after walking on a certain surface can cause real issues in other settings. An electrostatic discharge can ignite flammable mixtures and damage electronic components. This damage isn’t always immediately obvious, but can eventually cause products to fail. Static electricity can also attract contaminants in clean environments and cause products to stick together.
Static is caused by a large number of materials. This can make it virtually impossible to prevent static build up, even in tightly controlled conditions. Materials that cause static include:
- Human skin
- Human hair
- Nylon
- Wool
- Fur
- Silk
- Paper
- Cotton
- Wood
- Rubber
- Rayon
- Polyester
- Polyethylene
- PVC (Vinyl)
- Silicon
- Teflon
ESD clothing is specifically designed to prevent static charges passing from a person, or their clothing, into the surrounding environment. They are worn whenever static damage is a concern and are common practice in a number of industries. Some of the most common types of ESD clothing you’ll find are boots, coveralls, ESD lab jackets and smocks (with and without hoods).
Materials Used in Anti-static Clothing
Most ESD clothing is made from cotton or polyester and then embedded with a grid of carbon fiber. These fibers effectively create a Faraday Cage around the body of the wearer. This shields any charges generated from the clothing that could otherwise damage devices that are sensitive to static electricity.
ESD clothing is generally manufactured from manmade fabrics as, unlike natural materials, their fibers won’t break down. This helps to minimise static and make the space even safer. Standards for ESD clothing are set by the ESD Association. All ESD clothing must meet these standards in order to properly protect the wearer and the surrounding environment.
Common materials used in the manufacture of ESD clothing include:
Polyester
Polyester is one of the most widely used materials in ESD clothing. It is durable, lightweight, and resistant to moisture, making it ideal for long-term use. When interwoven with conductive fibers, polyester helps prevent the buildup and discharge of static electricity. Its synthetic structure also makes it less likely to deteriorate over time.
Cotton
Cotton is a natural material that is often used in ESD garments when blended with synthetic fibers and carbon filaments. It offers greater breathability and comfort for the wearer but may not be as durable as pure synthetic options. Cotton must be carefully treated to maintain its anti-static properties.
Nylon
Nylon is another synthetic fiber used in ESD garments. It offers excellent elasticity and strength, which makes it ideal for form-fitting clothing such as lab coats or gloves. When combined with conductive materials, nylon provides efficient static dissipation.
Carbon-Embedded Blends
These materials combine traditional fabrics like polyester with a higher concentration of carbon fibers woven into the fabric. The increased carbon content boosts conductivity and provides a greater degree of static protection in high-risk environments.
Microfiber
Microfiber fabrics are tightly woven and offer both comfort and high performance in ESD applications. When infused with conductive threads, microfiber garments are both efficient and breathable, making them suitable for long shifts in static-sensitive zones.
Benefits of Wearing Anti-static Clothing
As static is a natural phenomenon, it can’t be eradicated altogether. Instead, companies need to control levels of static in order to prevent problems and protect products and equipment. Humans are major generators of static – a person can create an incredible 35,000 volts just by walking across a carpet. So the best way to stop a buildup of static is to wear specially designed ESD clothing.
ESD clothing is designed to safely dissipate electrical charges through conductive fibers embedded within the fabric. These fibers create a protective barrier around the wearer, preventing the buildup and transfer of static electricity to sensitive electronic components. It is estimated that ESD costs are around 5% of all total sales, which highlights the need for suitable clothing.
Beyond protecting devices, ESD garments also enhance worker safety. In areas where flammable gases or fine powders are present, a static discharge could lead to an explosion or fire. Anti-static clothing reduces this risk significantly by keeping charges grounded and neutralized.
Moreover, wearing certified ESD clothing helps companies stay compliant with industry standards set by the ESD Association and other regulatory bodies. Compliance not only ensures a safe workplace but also improves credibility with clients and partners by showing a commitment to quality control and product reliability.
Industries That Require ESD Clothing
ESD clothing is often made in order to meet ‘cleanroom’ standards. Often used in manufacturing and scientific research, cleanrooms are controlled spaces with low levels of pollutants like dust, airborne microbes, aerosol particles and chemical vapours. Cleanrooms have a controlled level of contamination that is specified by the number of particles per cubic meter.
Cleanrooms are assigned an ISO value depending on their level of contamination. ISO 1 is the cleanest and most sterile space while ISO 9 is normal room air. Spaces with an ISO 3 classification are also rated as Class 1 spaces. ISO 4 is equivalent to Class 10, ISO 5 to Class 100 and ISO 6 to Class 1,000.
ESD clothing will generally list the ISO and Class value it’s designed for. So if you need boots, a smock or coveralls that will be suitable for an ISO 4/Class 10 space, it should be easy to find the right work wear.
Industries that may require ESD clothing include:
Electronics Manufacturing
Even the smallest static discharge can destroy sensitive components like semiconductors or microchips. Component manufacturers face an estimated loss of between 16 and 22%. ESD garments protect these delicate devices during assembly, inspection, and repair, ensuring product integrity and reducing costly rework or product failures.
Cleanroom Environments
Cleanrooms require controlled contamination levels for processes like microfabrication or biotech production. ESD garments reduce static charges that can attract particles, helping maintain air purity standards and minimizing interference with delicate instrumentation and precision manufacturing tasks.
Chemical Processing
Flammable gases and volatile substances make static discharge a serious ignition risk in chemical plants. Anti-static clothing helps protect workers and infrastructure by grounding static buildup, reducing the chance of fires or explosions in sensitive handling zones.
Aerospace and Aviation
Aircraft systems rely on highly sensitive electronics. During assembly or maintenance, static discharge can compromise safety-critical components. ESD garments prevent unintentional static damage, ensuring reliability and compliance with stringent aerospace industry standards for safety and performance.
Medical Device Manufacturing
Medical devices like pacemakers and diagnostic tools use sensitive electronics that can be harmed by ESD. Wearing ESD garments in these environments ensures component protection and supports sterile conditions, maintaining product safety and patient health outcomes.
Key Features to Look for When Choosing ESD Clothing
Most everyday clothing is electrically insulated or isolated from the body. This means that static charges that build up on the fabric won’t necessarily pass to the skin and then to the ground. ESD clothing is specifically designed to stop the static that builds up on fabric from generating an electrostatic discharge or creating other issues associated with static. When choosing ESD clothing, essential features to look for should include:
- Durability – Made from strong synthetic materials like polyester for long-lasting wear.
- Carbon fiber grid – Embedded conductive threads safely dissipate static.
- Comfort – Lightweight and breathable for all-day use.
- Antistatic fabric – Reduces charge buildup on the surface.
- Standards compliance – Meets ANSI/ESD or IEC guidelines.
- Proper fit – Tailored to ensure full coverage and reliable protection.
- Low particle shedding – Maintains cleanroom safety.
- Washable – Retains antistatic properties through multiple washes.
- Secure closures – Elastic cuffs and zips keep garments sealed.
- Traceability tags – Helps with inventory and compliance tracking.
How to Care for and Maintain Anti-static Clothing
ESD clothing needs to be properly cared for in order to retain its effectiveness. Here are five top tips for maintaining anti-static clothing in the best possible condition.
- Cleaning: Wash ESD clothing using mild detergent in cold or lukewarm water. Avoid fabric softeners or bleach, as they can damage the fabric’s conductive properties.
- Drying: Air-dry ESD garments. Avoid high heat from dryers or direct sunlight, as this can weaken the fabric.
- Storage: Store ESD clothing in a cool, dry place, away from chemicals or sharp objects that could damage the material.
- Inspection: Regularly check for holes, tears, or signs of wear that can compromise conductivity.
- Avoid contamination: Ensure clothing stays clean and free from static-generating materials like plastic or synthetic fabrics.
Find out more about the importance of ESD clothing, and explore our high quality range of products, by checking out our online store and the All Seasons Uniforms blog today.
Sources
All Seasons Uniforms. (n.d.). All Seasons Uniforms blog. All Seasons Uniforms. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.allseasonsuniforms.com/blog/
All Seasons Uniforms. (n.d.). Cleanroom and ESD uniforms. All Seasons Uniforms. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.allseasonsuniforms.com/occupation/cleanroom-esd/
All Seasons Uniforms. (n.d.). Cleanroom and ESD lab coats and lab jackets. All Seasons Uniforms. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.allseasonsuniforms.com/occupation/cleanroom-esd/lab-coats-lab-jackets
All Seasons Uniforms. (n.d.). Cleanroom and ESD hoods. All Seasons Uniforms. Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.allseasonsuniforms.com/occupation/cleanroom-esd/hoods
Electrostatic Discharge Association. (n.d.). Electrostatic Discharge Association (ESDA). Retrieved April 29, 2025, from https://www.esda.org/
Sandström, J. (2023). ESD-safe robotic gripper for object transportation (Master’s thesis, Uppsala University). DiVA portal. https://diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:1840229/FULLTEXT01.pdf
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About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.