ECOGUARD is the new offerings of specifically disposable medical isolation gowns by Precision Textiles. Precision Textiles is a supplier of coated fabrics, nonwovens, and laminations for the bedding, automotive, and healthcare industries, expanding its commitment to developing more sustainable products.
The additive in the EcoGuard material releases enzymes that allow the gowns to serve as food for microbes to consume, thus dramatically speeding up the biodegradation process. These gowns are easy to dispose of and recycle after use, which further helps the environment by reducing the waste mass in landfills.
Medical isolation gowns certified by AAMI are classified at four levels depending on the medical applications in which they are used. Gowns manufactured with EcoGuard are appropriate for applications ranging from AAMI Level 1 basic care to Level 4 high-risk situations. According to ADTCC-ASTM guidelines, these gowns must pass tests for resistance to liquid penetration on impact from sprays and liquid penetration on impact under constant and increasing hydrostatic pressure.
EcoGuard medical gowns also comply with the Berry Amendment, which restricts the U.S. Department of Defense from using funds to procure clothing, fabrics, yarns, fibers, other textiles, and food that is not grown, produced, reprocessed or reused in the United States.
Scott Tesser, president of Precision Textiles, said, “EcoGuard adheres to our corporate mission to manufacture products that pose a low environmental risk. Isolation gowns produced with polypropylene materials can take over 600 years to biodegrade in a landfill, leading to the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. The additive in our EcoGuard material accelerates the biodegradation process to approximately six years, reducing the CO2 footprint harmful to the environment. Cost-wise, gowns made with EcoGuard make a great deal of sense. Not only are they better for the planet, but they are also in the same price range as the polypropylene gowns we make in our manufacturing facility.”
