How Plastics Have Revolutionised Safety

police officers

12th February 2024

Something most people can agree on is that whether it's athletes in a contact sport, emergency services, or medical professionals… protective gear is a fundamental necessity in modern society. However, a less spoken about factor is the vital role that plastics play in the development and manufacturing of protective gear. In fact, without plastics, many aspects of modern life would be significantly less safe.

How Do Plastics Protect Medical Professionals'?

Another area plastics are essential is medicine. Plastics are used to protect medical professionals, patients, and ensure a sterile environment to prevent spreading of disease. From gloves, masks, gowns, and face shields, to syringes, IV tubes, catheters, and ventilator components, and even medical packaging for sterile supplies, medications, and equipment - plastics are pivotal to the modern medical facility.

“New polymeric material developments have allowed a virtual explosion of devices and implements which were able to rely on the excellent properties that were offered by engineering polymers, newer commodity plastics, and improved processing technologies. As the availability of new products continued to grow, the health-care industry grew as well and by offering life-giving procedures, led to improved health of the population in general." [6]

So why plastics? The material is comfortable, durable, reliable, and able to withstand various sterilization methods, ensuring safe and effective patient care. They are impermeable to fluids, resistant to tears and rips, and offer consistently reliable protection. Plastics provide a barrier against pathogens, chemicals, and other contaminants – and can even be modified with coatings that make them particularly resistant to microbes.

Though single-use plastics are not always the most-effective option, medicine – and therefore our own safety – heavily relies on them, with industry experts strongly warning against reducing single-use plastics in the industry for fears over diseases and infections (such as HIV) spreading [7].

How Do Plastics Protect Uniformed Services?

Plastics is integral in protective gear for emergency services (such as police officers, firefighters, and soldiers) as it allows the creation of incredibly lightweight and flexible equipment which is uniquely resistant - enabling officers to move freely while remaining protected. Without plastics, our first-responders would face heightened risks in dangerous situations and huge compromises to their safety.

Polycarbonate is often the go-to material in life-protecting equipment for emergency services and can be found in helmets, shields, and other bullet proof equipment [3]. However, materials like Kevlar, aramid, and carbon fibre are the high-strength, heat resistant materials commonly used in fire-safe clothing (for firefighters, Formula One drivers…etc) and bullet proof vests. Its low-weight and high strength qualities makes its protective properties unsurpassable - and I think Romain Grosjean may agree!

You can find out more on the importance of plastics in Formula One here.

How many lives these materials have saved is immeasurable, though estimated over 7,000 in the UK and US police forces alone [4,5].

How Do Plastics Protect Athletes? (#Superbowl2024)

Whether you're a Chiefs or 49ers fan (or just like Taylor Swift) anyone watching the 2024 Superbowl will be well aware just how much impact some athletes have to take, and protecting the players as much as possible is of the highest importance.

American Football completely relies on padding. Back in the 1870s, football shoulder pads were made of leather and wool sewn onto athlete’s jerseys, and even when plastic was introduced into the gear in the 1960s, the padding was far too heavy and solid, and hindered the athletes abilities. It wasn’t until 2000 that shoulder pads were first made of synthetic fibres (shock-absorbent foam padding covered in a hard plastic outer shell) – a revolution which made them breathable and comfortable, while incredibly protective without restricting activity [1].

Most commonly, it’s hard plastic compounds (like polycarbonate) which are used for the shell – and also in head/face shields and helmets, mouth guards, knee/shin guards... in many sports. Soft plastic/foams are then used to create the lightweight, shock absorbent aspects [2].

In addition to the material’s safety uses, plastics has also transformed athletic performance by optimising clothing (like swimsuits, streamlined outfits, kits etc) and even the equipment (like tennis racquets and golf balls).

In essence, without plastics, a lot of sporting gear would be less efficient, less safe, and players would be exposed to a higher risk of concussions, fractures, burns, and other severe injuries.

The Future Of Plastics In Protective Gear

The field of plastics is continually evolving, and researchers and manufacturers are constantly developing new materials and technologies to enhance safety and performance. Future innovations may include self-healing plastics that can repair themselves after sustaining damage, smart materials that can adapt to changing conditions, and eco-friendly alternatives that reduce environmental impact.

These advancements hold great promise for improving the safety of individuals across various industries, and in the meantime the plastics industry will continue providing enhanced protection, increased comfort, and life-saving products.

If you have any plastics innovations worth sharing, submit them here.

References

1. https://sportsmatik.com/sports-corner/sports-equipage-detail/american-football-shoulder-pads

2. https://thisisplastics.com/safety/plastics-protect-plastics-help-peak-performance-athletes/

3. https://www.factsaboutbpa.org/benefits-applications/safety-equipment/

4. https://www.uk.safeguardarmor.com/pages/police-officers

5. https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/R43544.pdf

6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7151894/

7. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/can-medical-care-exist-without-plastic

8. Injury Facts - National Safety Council (nsc.org)

Author

Rebecca S