Detecting Hazardous Gases in Emergency Disaster Scenarios using Wearable Sensors

This research arose through involvement in a joint European Union-funded FP6 project called Proetex (www.proetex.org). The aim of the project is to develop textileand fibre-based integrated wearable sensor systems. Such systems will improve the safety and efficiency of emergency personnel by monitoring the health status of the operator and the surrounding environment for potential risk sources. Some of the issues covered are monitoring of vital signs, posture and activity, external hazard monitoring, and low-power wireless communications. The project is closely connected with other large European projects on smart textiles, wearable sensing and associated applications – it brings together and extends the technology developed by previous projects (see for example www.biotexeu.com).