When it comes to first responder chic, a new material by Radiation Shield Technologies could be the last word in protective fashion. The Florida-based company has developed a material called Demron-W that promises to protect the wearer from radiation, chemical, and biological agents, according to a Miami Herald report last month. The suit would offer emergency responders protection in situations where they face multiple or unknown contamination threats.
The head-to-toe suits, which retail for about $1,500 each, weigh about 12 pounds and are thermal conductive, according to the report. Underwriters Laboratory (UL) certified the suits as a protective ensemble under requirements for NFPA Class 2 and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) terrorism incidents, according to Reuters. The certification can be viewed online. For more about RST, visit their website.
Jolie Breeden is the lead editor and science communicator for Natural Hazards Center publications. She writes and edits for Research Counts; the Quick Response, Mitigation Matters, Public Health, and Weather Ready Research Award report series; as well as for special projects and publications. Breeden graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in journalism.