With innovations chemically protective suits made of fabric coated in self-healing, thin films may prevent farmers from exposure to organophosphate pesticides, soldiers from chemical or biological attacks in the field and factory workers from accidental releases of toxic materials.

The material to be coated is dipped in a series of liquids to create layers of material to form a self-healing, polyelectrolyte layer-by-layer coating. This coating is deposited under ambient conditions in safe solvents, such as water, at low cost, using a simple equipment amenable to scale-up.

During the layering, enzymes can be incorporated into the coating. Polyelectrolyte coatings are made up of positively and negatively charged polymers. Many toxic substances can be absorbed through the skin. Organophosphates, used as herbicides and insecticides, are absorbed through the skin and can be lethal. Some of these chemicals have also been used as nerve agents. A garment coated with a self-healing film containing an organophosphate hydrolase, an enzyme that breaks down the toxic material, could limit exposure.

For manufacturing environments where hazardous chemicals are necessary, clothing coated with the proper enzyme combination could protect against accidental chemical releases. Future use of these coatings in medical meshes could also help patients minimize infections for quick recovery.