The researchers created a polymer-based fiber mat that changes color from dark blue to white in the presence of synthetic opioids.
Dr. Joy said he hopes to use the material in latex gloves that can change color to alert first responders if they’ve come into contact with dangerous drugs.
“To have something that would, as soon as you touched it … show that there was an opioid, you could really protect yourself, secure the scene and work from there,” University of Akron Detective Angela Paonessa told News 5 Cleveland.
The material cannot tell a first responder exactly what the substance is, but will alert them to the presence of a controlled substance.
“It’s just a quick answer because that does not exist right now,” Dr. Joy told News 5 Cleveland.
He said the gloves could hit the market within the next five years.
More articles on opioids:
Instagram deploys ‘get support’ feature for users searching opioids
18.7M pills diverted from healthcare organization in 2018: 5 report findings
28% of opioids prescribed in outpatient settings lack physician explanation, study finds
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