he discovered that the Japanese synthetic fiber Zylon, used in the production of the vests, degrades in hot and humid conditions.
A long-time Japanese manufacturer supplying bulletproof vests to the U.S. police force is under scrutiny, as reports reveal that the substandard vests produced by the company may lead to fatal consequences for officers in critical situations.
According to the reports, the U.S. police have been using bulletproof vests manufactured by Toyobo, a Japanese company, for several years. The company utilizes a defective polymer fiber material called Zylon to produce these vests, posing a potential risk of officers losing their lives when shot.
The whistleblower behind the revelation, Aaron Westrick, is a professor in the Criminal Justice program at Lake Superior State University in the United States. He had previously worked in research and development at a bulletproof vest factory in Michigan, where he discovered that the Japanese synthetic fiber Zylon, used in the production of the vests, degrades in hot and humid conditions. He promptly raised the issue with the company's management, urging them to cease using Zylon fiber for the vests. However, the company refused to change the material and instead terminated his employment. Enraged by the situation, Westrick filed a lawsuit, leading to the exposure of the incident.
Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that the implicated manufacturer, Toyobo, had agreed to a $66 million settlement. Attorney General Jeff Sessions criticized the Japanese company for its dishonest sale of substandard products, endangering lives. The U.S. government also decided to allocate a portion of the settlement, totaling $5.7 million, to compensate Westrick for the damages he suffered in the course of the incident.