For immediate release: September 30, 2003
For more information, contact George Stamatis at 216-368-3635 or george.stamatis@Case.edu

CLEVELAND—It often can be difficult to reconcile fashion with safety. Many a woman has opted against sensible footwear in favor of the less stable but infinitely cuter pair of high heels. When it comes to being protected in the era of concern about biological and chemical attacks, however, style may not have to be sacrificed for safety.

John Haaga

Thanks to John Haaga, M.D., professor and chairman of radiology at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland, face masks are not the only option when it comes to protecting airways. Haaga has developed a family of neckties and scarves that contains medical filtration lining and can be used to cover the mouth and nose when situations arise that would pose a danger to breathing.

The outer shell of the ties and scarves is 100 percent silk, and the lining is made of polypropylene with an electrostatic charge, which attracts and traps particles from the air. The neckwear is not meant to be used as long-term airway protection, Haaga said, adding that it is far more effective than a T-shirt or tissue would be as a temporary solution in an emergency situation.

The faculty member said he came up with the idea when he "was at home watching scary stuff on TV." Worried about his family and his children, he brought home a face mask but thought that there had to be a better way to protect oneself than by looking like a "dork with a mask." He decided that clothing was a convenient choice because no one would have to worry about it or even think about it.

He created Freedom to Breathe Safe (FBS) Clothing, a company that sells the neckwear in four colors for $40 each at the Web site http://www.fbsclothing.com. Soon, department stores will carry the ties and scarves in a wider variety of designs. Haaga is confident that the filtration material ultimately could line many other clothing items as well. "The possibilities are infinite," he said.

Haaga said that because Cleveland is not really an epicenter of dangerous activity, he does not feel compelled to wear one of his ties every day, but he indicated that he might begin to do so once the tie is available in a greater number of designs. Even with only four colors, he said, "I can assure you that if there were anything strange going on, I would just wear the same tie or scarf."

For many, this would be a small price to pay for peace of mind.

–Case–

 

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