Florida Biotech's PPE Detergent Compliant with NFPA 1850-2025 Standards

Rechargeable electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries and non-rechargeable consumer electronics lithium manganese dioxide batteries are common sources of lithium smoke residue and staining. Florida Biotech announced the successful demonstration of its new advanced PPE laundry detergent. This product aims to eliminate and neutralize stains and smoke residue while also satisfying the strict specifications of the industry NFPA 1850-2025 standard.

The most recent, consolidated standard on the selection, maintenance, and upkeep of protective ensembles for structural and proximity firefighting and open-circuit self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), NFPA 1850-2025, has been independently UL verified as meeting or exceeding the newly developed, proprietary PPE laundry detergent. Because of the toxic, corrosive and persistent nature of their combustion byproducts—which include heavy metals, hydrofluoric acid residues, volatile organic compounds (VOC), bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms—this standard specifically acknowledges lithium battery fires as distinct contamination hazards that frequently call for specific cleaning procedures.

The Florida Biotech PPE laundry detergent successfully eliminated visible and imbedded lithium smoke residue from firefighting turnout gear, SCBA parts, and associated equipment in stringent Data-on-File testing. Without affecting the integrity of protective fabrics or leaving behind hazardous residues, it displayed exceptional cleaning performance. Test data results have also been confirmed by other third-party labs. This new detergent's special formulation tackles the growing problem of lithium battery fires from consumer devices, energy storage systems, electric vehicles and waste management facilities.

“Firefighters and first responders face evolving threats from lithium battery incidents which produce smoke and soot that standard cleaning methods often cannot fully address,” said Dr. Joseph Antoun, Chief Scientific Officer at Florida Biotech. “Our new NFPA 1850-2025 compliant PPE laundry detergent provides a targeted, effective solution that helps departments meet and substantially exceed the standard’s criteria for specialized decontamination thereby reducing long-term cumulative exposure risks and enhancing gear longevity.”

Among the new detergent's main advantages are:

• Targeted effectiveness against pollutants unique to lithium, such as metallic residues and corrosive acids.
• Compliance with NFPA 1850-2025 for advanced cleaning and preliminary exposure reduction (PER) procedures.
• Material-safe formula that maintains SCBA and turnout gear's protective properties without deterioration.
• Eco-friendly composition appropriate for standard fire department equipment and laundry techniques.

This development occurs at a crucial moment as fire departments around the country revise their PPE care plans to conform to the 2025 version of NFPA 1850, which now places even more emphasis on cleaning efficacy verification, particularly after exposure to lithium.

Ready Rack by Groves, Inc., Florida Biotech's market partner, Clean Laundry Solutions, and their nationwide network of independent distributors make their solution accessible.