A respirable one-ply, two-ply or multi-ply barrier fabric including one web comprising an electrostatically charged melt blown fibers nonwoven or a nanofiber/melt blown fibers nonwoven having a weak cationic emulsifier to reduce surface energy of the fibers so as to minimize penetration and wetting by oily mists and to thereby preserve the effectiveness of electrostatic charges applied to fibers. Also disclosed is a two-layer or multi-ply barrier fabric which has at least one barrier fabric layer which is impermeable to liquids such as water and body fluids, but which allows the transport of moisture vapor through the micropores or by chemical absorption of water through a monolithic membrane, which may have additional barrier layers to include melt blown and nanofiber/melt blown composites. One or more layers of the respirable barrier fabric or the moisture transporting microporous (MP) or monolithic (ML) films or combination thereof may contain an antimicrobial agent, fluorochemical or other protective finish, as well as any of the layers of the respirable filter fabric or any of the layers of the filter ensemble as well as any layer of the liquid barrier moisture transporting barrierfabrics. Furthermore, the protective fabrics may contain a porous or absorbent fabric or film on the body side for enhanced thermal comfort, and other additives may be included in the fabric ensembles such as activated carbon particles, or activated carbon particles, or other sorbents, or superabsorbents o to absorb odors or toxic chemicals.

Described herein is protective apparel that improves management. The protective apparel comprises a set of spacers. Each spacer is arranged on an inner portion of the apparel and maintains apparel proximate to the spacer distant from the person, thereby preventing continuous contact between the person and portions of the apparel. Multiple spacers may form one or more air channel between the spacers, the person and inner portions of the apparel. The channels permit low resistance airflow within the apparel and over the person's body. Low resistance airflow within the channels permits air to be easily moved through the apparel to cool the person. The spacers may comprise a compressible material such as foam. When the compressible material has an elastic memory, elastic return of the material causes each spacer to return to its initial shape after a deforming force is removed. Protective apparel described herein may also comprise a buffer volume of air that allows a person to breath without incurring significant pressure changes internal to the apparel.