Protective Garment Test Lab to Open at NC State

North Carolina State University will open a new state-of-the-art laboratory funded by a Department of Defense grant secured by U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge that will enable researchers to test and enhance protective garments worn by first responders to protect against chemical and biological agents.

The Man-in-Simulant Test (MIST) facility will open on Monday, July 21, at 10 a.m. at the College of Textiles atrium on NC State’s Centennial Campus. Media coverage of the event is invited.

Etheridge, Tim Roberts of the Department of Defense, NC State Chancellor James Oblinger, College of Textiles Dean Blanton Godfrey, and Dr. Roger Barker, director of NC State’s Textile Protection and Comfort Center (TPACC), will announce the new facility and be available for interviews. The facility is being funded by a $2 million grant from the Department of Defense that was requested by Etheridge, who serves on the U.S. Homeland Security Committee.

Immediately following the opening remarks, the media is invited to tour the MIST facility, which will include video and still photograph opportunities during live demonstrations of protective garment testing in the lab chamber.

NC State’s College of Textiles is located on Centennial Campus. Media parking is available in the visitor’s lot in front of the college on Main Campus Drive or in the large lot at the side of the college on Research Drive.