Medley Company Sending Special Radiation Suits To Japan
MIAMI (CBS4) - A South Florida company is donating full-body nuclear radiation suits to rescue teams and power plant workers in Japan as the threat of a meltdown looms.
Radiation Shield Technologies has their factory in Medley working full time to keep up with demand for their suits which utilize a material called Demron invented by Coral Gables anesthesiologist Dr. Ronald DeMeo. The material not only protects the wearer against nuclear radiation, it is also effective against infrared radiation, extreme heat and chemical agents, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald.
DeMeo told the paper he contacted the company's Hong Kong distributor and instructed them to donate their stock after he saw footage of first responders who lacked protective clothing.
More than 200 of the specialized suits are expected arrive this weekend and the company plans to expand its current staff of 30 to keep up with the growing demand from Asia and the Middle East.
(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report)
