Haruyama Trading Co., a major men's clothing chain operator, has announced that it will soon release an "anti-swine flu" business suit. The surface of the wool suit is coated with titanium dioxide photocatalyst, which is a common ingredient in toothpaste and cosmetics. The effect is expected to last even after the suit is washed more than 20 times.
The chemical included chemically dissolves molecules in viruses, mold and odors when exposed to ultraviolet light, according to Junko Hirohata. The company has produced 50,000 of the suits and will start selling them on Thursday.
The suit - which is indistinguishable from any other worn by Japan's legion of "salarymen" - comes in four colours and styles, which are medium grey, charcoal, navy and a grey pinstripe. It will go on sale for about £365.
The company said it spent a year developing the suit, which retains its properties even after being washed numerous times. Japan has been gripped by swine flu fear since the global outbreak began a year ago, with the World Health Organisation confirming more than 340,000 cases worldwide and around 4,100 deaths.
A seven-year-old boy became the latest victim in Japan on Sept 22, the youngest and 18th fatality from the disease here. In the same week, medical institutions across the country reported treating 23,275 cases of influenza, the majority with the new H1N1 strain. Most of the new cases were reported in urban areas, where population density increases the risk of transmission. (The Telegraph)
The suit - which is indistinguishable from any other worn by Japan's legion of "salarymen" - comes in four colours and styles, which are medium grey, charcoal, navy and a grey pinstripe. It will go on sale for about £365.
The company said it spent a year developing the suit, which retains its properties even after being washed numerous times. Japan has been gripped by swine flu fear since the global outbreak began a year ago, with the World Health Organisation confirming more than 340,000 cases worldwide and around 4,100 deaths.
A seven-year-old boy became the latest victim in Japan on Sept 22, the youngest and 18th fatality from the disease here. In the same week, medical institutions across the country reported treating 23,275 cases of influenza, the majority with the new H1N1 strain. Most of the new cases were reported in urban areas, where population density increases the risk of transmission. (The Telegraph)
