and I wear a hood, similar to this one, for 8 hours a day.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p157/brainfreys_pics/cleanroom_hood.jpg
Does anyone have any advice as to what, if anything, I should do to protect my hair?  It's shoulder blade length right now.  I can put it in a bun, ponytail, or short braid.
Any advice on which, if any, would be the healthier option?  Or does it even matter?

Thanks!  :-*

Wow, what I coincidence!  I work in a clean room too, doing medical assembly work.  I don't have to wear a hood like yours, though, just a little bouffant cap.   :P

My hair isn't very long yet.  It only reached the tops of my shoulders in September, so really all I can do with it is pull it into a ponytail, or hold it back with a headband.

On the one hand, the cap doesn't move all that much, so I haven't been too worried about how it might affect my hair.  But lately I have noticed that my hair does look a little 'frizzed' when I remove the cap.

To remedy this, I've been considering maybe wearing a bandanna made of a hair-friendly material.  I don't know if you have any restrictions on what you can wear underneath your clean room gear, but you might consider something similar.  I hope this helps.   :)

Personally I'd suggest a bun so that your ends are protected.  You could cover your bun with a bandana, if they let you.

I think I'd be claustrophobic (sp?) in that get up.

Good Luck!  Be sure to tell us what your solution is!

Thanks!
No, there are no restrictions to what we can wear under the hoods.  A few muslim women I work with can wear their hijab with no problem.
I think I may stick with a loose bun covered with a bandana.  Do you think it would be better to let my hair down during breaks, or just leave it up?  I'm not sure what would be more damaging: leaving it in a bun, or taking it up & down several times throughout my shift.

Thanks again!

My suggestion would be to put it in a bun and wear a silky scarf to minimize rubbing on the hair.  I wouldn't bother taking it down for breaks.  My opinion is the less you handle your hair the less damage that will occur.  I wear my hair in a bun most days - I put it up in the morning and take it down for bed.