Radiation Innovation

I just heard on the news that there could be a new trend in clothing. Due to the radiation leaks caused by the reactor meltdown in Japan five years ago, radioactive particles are being found as far away as the West Coast of the U.S. Since then the demand for and cost of Geiger counters have skyrocketed. The car manufacturer Toyota is coming to the rescue. Being the world’s innovator of new ideas, a few years ago they had discovered an experimental dye that reacts to radioactive isotopes that they thought had no practical uses.

Since the accident they have been experimenting with using this dye in cloth manufacturing. The way I understand it, the clothes made from it will change color in direct proportion to the amount of radiation it is exposed to. A different color for each level of intensity. The colors that the clothing will turn are very similar to the colors that we once used in warning levels of terror threat by Homeland Security.

The colors are the following: Exposed to Severe radiation – your shirt will turn Red, exposed to High levels and may be dangerous – your shirt will turn Orange, Elevated above normal – your shirt will turn Yellow,  Guarded, slight exposure – your shirt will turn Blue. Under normal conditions your shirt will remain Green. No need to wear exposure badges or Geiger counters.

I believe that this is a great idea. And leave it to the Japanese and Toyota to think of it. Green is also my favorite color and I wouldn’t mind wearing that color everyday. The sales of Geiger counters are expected to plummet. Going from the very short supply they are  now to totally obsolete and unnecessary.

The chemical used in the dye, Chromium isoamyl acetate, is very rare and very caustic in its raw form. It is very dangerous to handle until it is forced safe during the manufacturing process. The only known location where it can be mined is in the United States near the town of Michcaska, Wisconsin. Due to low wages, plentiful work force and nonexistent unions, Toyota is making plans to mine and manufacture the cloth right there in Wisconsin, hopefully in Michcaska near the strip mines.

Way to go Toyota! I wants me one of those shirts!

OC