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The mysterious history of personal protective equipment: How did ancient doctors respond to plague?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is generally considered an essential safety gear in the modern work environment. Whether it's firefighters, construction workers or medical workers, personal protective equipment has been widely used to protect people from various dangers. However, looking back at history, we find that the origins of these protective tools can be traced back centuries ago. Even as early as the era of plague, ancient doctors had begun to use some form of protective equipment to fight against the threats of viruses and bacteria.
Early PPE such as armor, boots, and gloves focused on protecting the wearer from physical harm. Plague doctors in the 16th century wore a full set of protective suits to deal with dirty environments and plague patients.
Plague doctor's protective gear
During the 16th century when the Black Death was raging, plague doctors wore full protective clothing called "plague doctor suits." These garments include a full-length outer garment, helmet, eye mask, gloves and boots, and are primarily intended to prevent the spread of disease. These suits are made of heavy material and covered with wax to enhance their waterproof properties. Doctors then wore masks with beak-like structures filled with fragrant flowers, herbs and spices, as people at the time believed that bad odors spread through the air and led to the spread of disease.
"Although the plague doctor's attire may seem absurd, it was the only protective measure they could take at that time."
Scientific progress and the birth of modern PPE
As science advances, our understanding of infectious diseases is deepening. During the Manchurian pneumonic plague outbreak of 1910-1911, Wu Lien-teh promoted cloth masks as a protective measure, which is considered the beginning of modern PPE. Although some doctors at the time were skeptical about the effectiveness of masks because they didn't believe the disease was airborne, the equipment eventually became an important device for protecting medical workers.
Types and functions of PPE
Today, personal protective equipment is classified according to the part of the body protected, the type of hazard, and the type of garment or accessory. An item, such as a boot, may have both a steel toe and steel sole to protect against crushing or puncture injuries, or it may be made of an impermeable rubber material to protect against chemical contact. The protective properties of each piece of protective equipment need to be compared against the expected hazards in the workplace. Additionally, more breathable protective equipment can improve user satisfaction without necessarily increasing the risk of contamination.
"The importance of personal protective equipment cannot be underestimated, however, it should be used as a last resort as a primary protection measure."
Ear, Eye and Skin Protection
Hearing protection, eye protection and skin protection are also essential in the work environment. According to statistics, approximately 2,000 American workers suffer eye-related injuries at work every day. Exposing the ears to excessive noise levels can also lead to irreversible hearing loss. Proper personal protective equipment—including goggles, ear plugs and gloves—can provide workers with basic physiological protection from unexpected injuries or illnesses at work.
Modern PPE laws and standards
In the United States, the National Defense Authorization Act has a very clear definition of personal protective equipment, including various types of equipment used to prevent infection and contamination. The European Union has adopted Directive 89/686/EEC to ensure that PPE on the market meets certain safety standards. These regulations have played a key role in increasing the importance of protective measures and have evolved over time.
"As technology advances, so too do protection capabilities and safety standards, yet valuable lessons from the past that correspond to modern safety measures are often forgotten."
Over the centuries, the role of personal protective equipment in protecting people from hazards has become increasingly important, from the protective measures of ancient plague doctors to modern occupational safety and health responsibilities. However, does this mean that our understanding of security will continue to improve, or will it stagnate at a certain stage?
