DOST, BENILDE COLLABORATE ON PH-STANDARD PPE PROTOTYPE
The Department of Science and Technology-philippine Textile Research Institute (DOST-PTRI) and the Fashion Design and Merchandising (FDM) program of the De La Salle-college of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts have collaborated on the development of the Philippine-standard prototype for personal protective equipment (PPE).
DOST-PTRI director Celia Elumba invited the Benilde team to cocreate the design and patterns for prototype, to be produced by DOST-PTRI and manufactured by Filipino clothing merchandise provider Power Fashion Inc.
The prototype will undergo proper testing standards and quality evaluation by clinician-partners with the University of the Philippines-philippine General Hospital, who are also at the forefront of PPE innovations.
Benilde FDM program chair Christine Benet explained that the water-repellent PPE produced by the fashion industry shield front-liners from only the most basic bacteria. “However, to really protect them from particular viruses, especially those airborne, there are still certain standards to be met and proper testing protocols to be done,” she said.
“The Philippines heavily relies on imported supplies for PPE and this is the long-term solution we must implement to help make the country self-reliant in this fight.”
The team of fashion designers, industry experts, textile specialists and educators analyzed the needs of the medical front-liners, gathered different imported samples, and focused on the possible entry points of the virus, from the seams and stitches to the actual closures such as zippers, Velcro and garters.
While the researchers are sourcing the perfect local materials, they are utilizing available water-repellent fabrics, such as ripstop and nylon taffeta for washable jumpsuits and the 40 GSM nonwoven fabrics for disposable gown sets.
The Benilde FDM team is utilizing its resources to produce additional PPE gear to be donated to small public and private hospitals.
The group has produced and donated over 500 PPE complete with washable jumpsuits and disposable gown sets, head and foot covers, and masks.