Excerpts from minnesota.cbslocal.com:

Firefighters are getting cancer at a high rate because of the elements they are exposed to.

Mark Munson, a captain with St. Paul Fire Department, got a big idea from the hoods firefighters use that cover the head and neck. He felt like there were other parts of their body that needed protection, specifically high exposure areas like underarms and groin. He founded Under Guardian with one simple goal – to reduce firefighter cancer. The company makes microfiber pieces for firefighters to wear under their gear that blocks almost all contaminants.

The biggest challenge is getting fire departments to invest in the product, because it’s costly to make, about $240 for a set of gear.