A Lehighton-based manufacturer has created a new hood to protect firefighters.

The risks are numerous when rushing into a burning structure to extinguish flames that can reach a temperatures of over 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.In addition to contracting severe burns and smoke inhalation, several studies have been released to back the claim that firefighters' risk of developing cancer is double that of the average person.Researchers from the University of Cincinnati published 32 studies of cancer among firefighters. Based on the findings, there was a significantly increased risk among firefighters for a number of cancers, such as multiple melanoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and prostate and testicular cancer.According to a report released in 2013 by the Firefighter Cancer Support Network, firefighters are twice as likely to develop respiratory, digestive and urinary cancers, along with earlier onset of kidney, bladder and prostate cancers.The cause is not simply from breathing in the chemicals but also from contamination of the particles on the most vulnerable part of a firefighter, the jaw and neck."The skin on the neck is probably the most vulnerable on the body," said Majestic Fire Apparel Vice President Janeane Matula.To help, Majestic has created a hood dubbed the HALO. A standard hood is a two-ply knit cover used as a barrier between helmet and person, covering the top of the head and tucked down into the coat for protection from heat and flame."We wanted to take a proactive approach versus a reactive. Over the past two years we have been working on this particle filter," Matula said."There's no requirement for it right now, but we wanted to work to reduce cancers."Studiessupport her line of thinking. The skin is the body's largest organ and it is highly absorptive. The most at-risk areas are the face, the jaw, neck and throat.The average hoods are required to provide thermal protection for the head and neck but are not designed to stop hazards particles from being absorbed into the skin."The main element we are working to protect them from is the carcinogens," Matula said."This is a totally different kind of hood," she said.According to Firefighter Cancer Support Network study, today's residential fires have more in common with hazmat conditions than typical house fires due to the materials now common in homes such as plastics and synthetics.With the decrease in funding to fire departments and lack of manpower, firefighters often are exposed to the dangers for increased amounts of time, which increases the cancer odds."With all the buzz in the industry of the increased firefighter cancer rates, we had to do something. Everyone is concerned about the safety of the firefighters," she said."We tried many fabrics, starting with 150 down to five until we found our performance fabric for halo. We spent a year and a half developing it before it went to marketing," she said."We have to think of firefighters' comfort as well. If it's uncomfortable they won't wear it."Majestic has been in business in Carbon County since 1997 and is only one of five fire apparel manufactures in the U.S. and Canada.Matula said the research and development of the hood is the future of the company."It's our focus. We are the hood experts," she said.Development for the HALO was an ongoing process over two years.From narrowing down the right fabrics to the design, the company worked hard to keep production under wraps, only finally revealing it last month at the 89th annual FDIC, Fire Department Instructors Conference hosted in Indianapolis. The FDIC is the largest fire show in country."We kept HALO under wraps for a long time before releasing it to the distributors. At the show we were bombarded by the 35,000 attendees. Even exhibitors came over before the show started," she said.Matula admits the cost is double the average hood but points out the availability of grants to help with the costs for purchasing the new design."We will work with fire departments to do wear-testing option," she said.According to Jake Leggett, Matula's right-hand man for the HALO, the company has received orders for more than 1,000 HALOs since the April show."We're making them every day along with the standard hood," Matula said.For more information on Majestic Fire Apparel, visit

www.majhoods.com.