a waterborne hydrophobic barrier coating formulation comprising a blend of a vinyl acetate - ethylene polymer emulsion and a paraffin wax emulsion , wherein a dried coating of the blend on a substrate , such as a nonwoven web , an absorbent pad , or a textile , and dried , has a hydrostatic head barrier sufficient to prevent passage of fluids but allow passage of water vapor through it . a multi - layer material comprising at least one layer of a nonwoven web , an absorbent pad , or a textile , and at least one layer of a blend of a vae polymer emulsion and paraffin wax emulsion .