Tuesday, June 20, 2006

Virus-Proof Fabric for Medical Wear

Filed under: etc.

If you're a true Medgadget fan, then you probably already have your vitamin-secreting-underwear, and of course your anti-bacterial scrubs. But you've probably asked yourself when will the textile industry protect us from viruses. Today is your lucky day because those brilliant Finnish scientists have what you're looking for, and best of all its breathable! According to the manufacturer, Ahlstrom Corp., this material--dubbed Ahlstrom BVB--consists of three layers, whereas "the outer layer provides strength, the inner layer feels soft against the wearer's skin."

From an article at The Hartford Courant:

Ahlstrom Corp. believes that protective clothing for doctors and paramedics made from its new line of virus-proof fabric will prove as potent a weapon as vaccinations in the battle against an avian influenza pandemic.

The Finnish company, whose U.S. operations are based in Windsor Locks, has reported rapid sales of surgical gowns, masks and other protective clothing made of its new breathable viral barrier.

The three-layer polymer fabric, made at Ahlstrom's nonwovens division, is designed to block entry of bacteria and viruses as small as .027 microns, including avian influenza, HIV and SARS, division President Paul Marold said. The H5N1 virus strain that has the world on edge is three times that size. "We're in an environment today where there is a lot of concern about pandemics and the passing of bacterias and viruses," Marold said.

"Vaccinations are one line of defense, but this is just as important."

The fabric consists of a soft inner layer and a repellent outer layer enclosing a breathable polymer membrane that lets humidity exit -- for the wearer's comfort -- but provides a much higher level of disease protection, said Marold, who is also Ahlstrom's worldwide general manager and vice president for medical fabrics.

Read more at The Hartford Courant...

Breathable Viral Barrier (BVB) page at Ahlstrom Corporation...

More at Viralbarrier.com, a site about Ahlstrom BVB...

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