Decontamination wipe patented

Texas Tech University, Waco, Texas, recently received a patent for its nonwoven toxic chemical decontamination wipe, Fibertect™, from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Fibertect, evaluated with several other decontamination products in December 2008 by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, wiped the competition; it out-performed 30 different products on dangerous chemicals such as mustard gas. The wipes have an activated carbon core sandwiched between absorbent polyester on one side and absorbent cellulose on the other. Fibertect wipes are suitable for use on human skin and equipment, and Livermore Lab recommended they be included in a prototype low-cost personal decontamination system for use in the field. The university works with Hobbs Bonded Fiber, Waco, Texas, to produce the Fibertect wipes. For more information, visit www.media.ttu.edu.