Mr. Reed:

Nomex and Spectran are brand names; the others are generic names.  The
odor is probably coming from the off-gassing of the neoprene as it
begins to breakdown.  I'm not sure what the precise process is with
neoprene, but some plastics become soft and oily as they break down--the
plasticizers or softeners used to make the stuff pliable as a textile
migrate to the surface.  This can go on for years before it eventually
wears or evaporates off and leaves the brittle plastic.  My guess is
that this is what is beginning to happen--but I'm not a conservator, and
this sounds like a job for a conservator!

There may not be much you can do outside of isolating the coat.  I don't
know if there are any textile conservators in your area; but you might
try contacting Harold Mailand at Textile Conservation Services, 928
North Alabama St., Indianapolis, IN  46202, 317-266-8398.

Good luck.

Pat Roath
Historic Costume Care
[log in to unmask]

reedjm wrote:
>
>      I am having a problem with a firefihter's turnout coat in our
>      collection.  One of the linings composing the coat is deteriorating
>      (it's not crumbling away, but it is giving off a terrible odor) and I
>      need advice on what to do about it.  There are three layers to this
>      coat: the outer layer is 100% Nomex, the second layer is neoprene on a
>      polyester/cotton backing, the last layer is 65% "modacrylic.sef" and
>      35% "spectran" polyester.  This information was on one of the tags and
>      I'm not sure if the names in quotes are trade names or chemical names.
>      Any advice on this will be appreciated.
>         Thanks,
>         Joseph M. Reed
>         Fire Service Programs Archives