There isn’t anything entirely fool-proof when it comes to protecting us on the worksite from hazardous chemicals, smoke, vapors and other potential harm. Nothing is perfect, but having much of the protection we are expected to use certainly is manifold times better than going without.
There are challenges with some complex environments where there are several different hazards in the same location, and perhaps the protective gear or materials we use may end up overlapping and making our work a bit harder and mrore complicated. We all have the dream of being able to wear a breathable fabric that can resist or withstand many chemicals and toxins from reachng our skin or vapors getting into our noses, eyes, and lungs
The technology isn’t quite there yet. But some researchers are working on what might be a very viable alternative, one that can actually provide that desired protection we so desperately seek.
We could call it a “coat” of armor, but we won’t. Oh wait, too late … yes we will.
Just imagine, if you will, being in your standard lab coat in a chemical lab, and your coat suddenly has the power to break down any spilled chemicals that come into contact with the coat, thus detoxifying the chemical before it makes contact with your skin. While that’s still a dream, the dream is becoming closer to reality.
Say hello to a research team based at Penn State University, which has been developing an enzyme-based coating system that dips various fabrics in layers of enzymes designed to break down chemical compounds. The group of researchers, led by Melik Demirel, a professor of engineering science and mechanics at PSU, has develoepd a process where common fabrics used for workplaces are dipped in one or more layers of thin films that contain enzymes customized for the various specific chemical exposures at a worksite. These enzyme films coat the fabric and are designed to dilute or eliminate the toxicity of a chemical in case of an excessive exposure, limiting the damage to eyes, skin and nose.
The team projects that this kind of technology could be used on threads during the original production process of the fabrics and clothing, or dipped after production but before use. Practical applications include protecting agricultural workers from certain pesticides; shielding soldiers on the battlefield from chemical or biological attacks; and keeping factory workers from excessive exposure to released toxic materials, whether liquid, solid or gas.
An added feature of the coating, Demirel said, is that there is a self-healing property to the coating, meaning that the coating can put itself back together if it is breached by a previous chemical exosure (such as a few drops of acid getting on your lab coat which had been treated with this coating). This can reduce the frequency of dipping garments after every single exposure. Currently, the team is working on customizng the coating with enzymes that are matched with various chemicals that are in common indusrial or commercial use, awith the hope that garments from a certain company and a specific worksite can be treated with the enzyme layer(s) that will more directly address the specific chemicals to which workers are exposed on a regular basis.
There is a demonstration video available online, if you would like to see what this coating actually does. It may just blow your mind.