Safety rules in medical and industrial work mean that disposable gowns are used every day. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to understand which one is right for your team. A CPE gown stands out because it combines waterproof strength with simple design, making it practical for high-risk tasks. In this blog, we share everything buyers need to know about its material, benefits, and how it compares to other protective gowns.
What Is a CPE Gown Made Of?
CPE gowns are made from a special material called Cast Polyethylene or Chlorinated Polyethylene. This material is either cast into thin film sheets or treated (chlorinated) to improve its strength and resistance. The base plastics used include:
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
- Linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)
- Metallocene linear low-density polyethylene (MLLDPE)
These combine to form a CPE film that balances protection and comfort.
1. Protection Features of CPE Gown
Waterproof barrier: The CPE material creates a reliable shield against fluids, contaminants, and light chemicals, making the gown suitable for patient care and food handling.
Chemical resistance: A CPE isolation gown protects users from splashes of non-hazardous liquids in hospitals, labs, and production lines.
Bacterial growth inhibition: The smooth surface of a CPE disposable gown prevents bacteria from sticking and reduces the chance of cross-contamination.
Isolation level: Many CPE disposable gowns meet ASTM F3352-19 Level 3 standards, providing protection in environments with moderate fluid exposure risks.
Recyclability: Unlike many disposable gowns, certain CPE gowns are recyclable, reducing the environmental footprint.
2. Comfort and Usability of CPE Gown
One of the main reasons hospitals and factories prefer CPE gowns is their balance of protection and comfort.
Lightweight: With an average thickness of 1.2 mil, a CPE disposable gown is light enough to reduce heat stress during long hours of wear.
Flexible and soft: The gown material allows free movement, preventing stiffness and discomfort.
Convenient features: Many CPE disposable gowns come with thumb loops or ties, ensuring sleeves stay in place and coverage remains secure.
Simple design: The open-back style makes CPE disposable gowns easy to put on and remove quickly, which is crucial for maintaining hygiene in fast-paced medical settings.
3. Example: Morntrip™ CPE Gown
The Morntrip™ CPE isolation gown is designed to provide dependable protection with user-friendly features.
Size: Approximately 45″ × 79″, one size fits most wearers.
Thickness: About 1.2 mil for lightweight comfort without sacrificing safety.
Colors: Available in white, yellow, and blue CPE isolation gowns, offering options for different workplace preferences.
Packaging: Packed 50 gowns per bag, 4 bags per case (200 gowns total).
Uses: The Morntrip CPE isolation gown is widely used in healthcare facilities, laboratories, and food processing environments where protection from liquids and light chemicals is required.
Common Applications of CPE Gowns
CPE gowns are widely used for barrier protection and infection control across various industries. They provide reliable defense against fluids, chemicals, and infectious agents.
Medical and Healthcare Use
Disposable CPE gowns are essential in hospitals, clinics, and care facilities. They protect healthcare workers and patients from blood, bodily fluids, and infections. The CDC recommends wearing gowns when fluid contact is likely. In 2019, gowns for moderate-risk procedures made up 43% of the medical gowns market, used for tasks like blood draws. High-risk gowns, vital during surgeries and fluid-intensive procedures, accounted for 23% globally. During COVID-19, gown demand rose sharply, with the global market growing 14.4% from 2018 to 2022. In North America, hospital gowns made $853 million in 2023, with high-risk gowns bringing in 28% of that revenue. Manufacturers now focus on comfort features like soft knit cuffs and full coverage.
Laboratory and Research Settings
CPE gowns protect lab workers from chemical splashes and biological hazards. They prevent contamination between samples and personnel. Laboratories often use minimal- to moderate-risk disposable gowns to meet safety and cleanliness standards.
Food Processing and Hygiene
Waterproof and fluid-resistant CPE gowns are common in food processing and catering. They prevent food contamination and help meet safety regulations. As consumer focus on food hygiene grows, demand for these cost-effective gowns increases to reduce bacterial risks during food handling and packaging.
Summary of Key Uses
- Patient care and surgeries
- Diagnostic and laboratory work
- Food processing and hygiene compliance
CPE Gown vs. Other Protective Gowns
When choosing protective disposable gowns, it’s important to know how CPE gowns compare to other types like PE gowns and isolation gowns. This helps buyers select the right gown for their specific needs.
Difference Between CPE Gown and PE Gown
| Aspect | CPE Gown | PE Gown |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Chlorinated polyethylene | Regular polyethylene (LDPE or LLDPE) |
| Protection | Stronger chemical resistance; fully waterproof; suitable for high-risk environments | Basic fluid protection; less durable |
| Flexibility and Comfort | A bit stiffer but tougher | More flexible and lightweight |
| Cost | Slightly more expensive but lasts longer during use | Generally, the cheapest option |
| Construction | Heat-welded for leakproof sealing; avoids sewn seams | Heat-welded for leakproof sealing; avoids sewn seams |
Difference Between CPE Gown and Isolation Gown
| Aspect | Isolation Gowns | CPE Gowns |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Made from nonwoven fabrics like polypropylene (PP) or SMS | Plastic film-based |
| Barrier Levels | Protect against droplets and dust, but may not be fully waterproof | Provide full waterproof and chemical barrier protection |
| Usage | Better for general patient care and lower-risk situations due to breathability | Suit scenarios with heavy fluid exposure, such as chemical handling and infectious patient care |
| Design | May include features like thumb loops and ties; sometimes come in reusable versions | May include features like thumb loops and ties; typically disposable only |
How to Choose the Right Disposable Gown?
Exposure Risk:
Use CPE gowns for high fluid and chemical risks. Use isolation gowns for routine patient care.
Comfort and Wear Time:
Isolation gowns offer more breathability, suitable for long-duration wear.
Cost Considerations:
CPE and PE gowns balance affordability with protection, ideal when gowns are changed frequently.
Compliance:
CPE gowns often meet higher protection standards (Level 2/3), important for medical regulations.
Environmental Impact:
Some CPE and PE gowns are recyclable, supporting eco-friendly disposal.
How to Properly Wear and Remove a CPE Gown?
Wearing and removing a CPE gown correctly is crucial to prevent contamination and keep you safe.
Step-by-Step Guide to Wearing (Donning) a CPE Gown
- Clean your hands with sanitizer or soap for 15–20 seconds, covering all areas.
- Check the gown for any holes or tears.
- In a clean area, unfold the gown without touching surfaces.
- Insert your arms fully into the sleeves, ensuring coverage from neck to knees.
- Secure the gown at the neck and waist with ties, snaps, or belts.
- Pull gloves over the gown cuffs to cover your wrists.
- If needed, put on eye and respiratory protection next.
How to Remove (Doff) a CPE Gown Safely?
- Take off gloves first while still inside the patient area, turning them inside out.
- Untie the gown’s ties or snaps, opening it from the back.
- Grab the front of the gown, pull it away, and roll it inside out to trap contamination inside.
- Dispose of gown and gloves in proper waste or laundry containers.
- Immediately clean your hands again.
- Remove eye and respiratory protection carefully after the gown is off.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping hand hygiene before and after using PPE.
- Touching the gown’s outside with bare hands.
- Removing PPE too fast or roughly.
- Leaving openings in the gown uncovered.
- Throwing PPE into the wrong containers or outside designated zones.
Following these clear steps ensures full protection by covering your body completely and limiting contamination risks during both putting on and taking off your CPE gown.
Certifications and Standards of CPE Gowns
CPE gowns often come with important certifications to ensure safety and quality. These include
CE, FDA, and ISO approvals
, showing they meet strict medical standards.
Key CPE Gown Certifications Explained
CE Marking: Shows the gown complies with European health and safety laws. Gowns with this mark are tested for hospital and lab use.
FDA Approval: Confirms the gown meets U.S. safety standards for infection control and fluid resistance. This is crucial, especially during COVID-19.
ISO13485 Certification: Indicates the gown is made following international quality management rules, ensuring consistent product quality.
EN14126 Compliance: Tests how well the gown protects from blood, viruses, and infectious liquids. This is vital for infectious disease protection.
Why CPE Gown Certifications Matter?
They guarantee tested and approved protection against infection.
Certified gowns offer reliable quality, lowering health risks.
International recognition helps buyers trust the product worldwide.
Certification keeps hospitals and buyers legally safe from recall or penalties.
Checking Certifications Before Buying
Buyers should verify visible certification marks and ask for proof like CE declarations, FDA registration, or ISO reports. This ensures they get safe, trustworthy CPE gowns.
Frequently Asked Questions About CPE Gowns
1. Can CPE Gowns Be Reused?
Most CPE gowns are made for single-use only. They are disposable because removing them can damage ties and fasteners, making it unsafe to wear them again. Reusing CPE isolation gowns is not recommended, especially in infection control settings.
In emergencies, if gowns are not visibly dirty, some might reuse paper or plastic gowns temporarily. However, this is risky and not standard practice.
Reusable gowns usually mean cloth isolation gowns, which are different in material and require proper laundering. When buying in bulk, check if the gown is for single-use or reusable, and always follow your healthcare or workplace guidelines.
2. How Long Does a CPE Gown Last?
Most CPE gowns are designed for single-use only. Once removed, the gown should not be worn again because the ties or seams may break, reducing protection.
These gown should be discarded immediately after use, especially if it is dirty, torn, or damaged. Reusing them is unsafe and not recommended in healthcare or food safety environments.
If you need a reusable option, cloth isolation gowns are different from CPE disposable gowns and can be washed and reused many times under proper guidelines. Always check the product label before buying.
3. Are All CPE Gowns Waterproof?
Yes, all CPE gowns are waterproof because they are made from chlorinated polyethylene material. This makes them effective in blocking fluids, droplets, and light chemicals.
They are often used in hospitals, laboratories, and food processing, where fluid protection is important. However, the waterproof barrier only works if the gown is intact and not damaged or heavily soiled.
For safe use, always replace a CPE disposable gown if it becomes torn, dirty, or loses its protective surface.
Summary
CPE gowns give good protection and are easy to wear. They keep you safe from fluids, chemicals, and germs in hospitals, labs, and food work. Strong and reliable, they work better than many other disposable gowns. If you need high-quality or custom CPE gowns, contact us for a quote and help.
