Scientists at Texas Tech University's Institute of Environmental and Human Health have developed a new composite cotton fabric they say will protect against biological and chemical agents.
The new fabric, which has been developed with the U.S. Department of Defense in mind, can be used as a wipe to remove dangerous contaminants from a variety of surfaces, including human skin and intricate equipment on fighter planes. The fabric is lightweight, soft, flexible and able to be draped over unusually shaped objects.

Cotton Plant (Courtesy: Robert Underwood)The material neutralizes and absorbs toxic chemicals used in chemical warfare and pesticides. Another use could be the inner lining of a protective suit. The fabric passed tests for bacteria, yeast, fungus and mold but has not been tested for anthrax and other potentially deadly biological agents. But enzymes specifically targeting a particular agent can be applied.
Currently, the suits used by the U.S. military are made from carbon, which leaves skin and other surfaces dirty. This cotton allows air to pass to the skin, but blocks the larger toxic molecules. Apart from the military uses, perhaps such cotton can also be used to filter out germs and other toxins from water, thus helping eradicate water-borne diseases in the world.