by Laura Marx, medical public affairs intern

It's not always easy 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.

But when it comes to protection in an era of concern about biological and chemical warfare, style may no longer have to be sacrificed for safeguards.

John Haaga

John Haaga, professor and chairman of radiology at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and University Hospitals of Cleveland, has developed a more fashionable option than facemasks when it comes to protecting airways—a family of neckties and scarves with a medical filtration lining.

The outer shell of the ties and scarves, which can be used to cover the mouth and nose, is 100 percent silk, and the lining is made of polypropylene with an electrostatic charge, which attracts and traps particles from the air.
Although they are not designed as long-term airway protection, Haaga said the neckwear 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 facemask but thought there had to be a better means of protection than looking like a "dork with a mask." He decided that clothing was a fitting choice because no one would have to think twice about taking it with them or worry about how to keep it on hand.

Haaga has 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 could line many other clothing items as well.

"The possibilities are infinite," he said.

Because Cleveland is not really an epicenter of dangerous activity, Haaga said 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 he wouldn't mind making the fashion faux pas of wearing the same tie to work twice in one week.

"I can assure you that if there were anything strange going on, I would just wear the same tie or scarf," he said.

That's a small price to pay for peace of mind.

Return to the online edition of the 10-2-03 Campus News.

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