Edward L. McWilliams, President/CEO, launched Barrier Products LLC in 1994 after several discussions with San Diego County medical examiner Dr. Brian Blackbourne regarding the need for an airtight, long-lasting method for sealing dead bodies.
The solution was to create a lightweight, flexile pouch employing a patented poly-aluminum foil-poly co-extruded laminate that when heat-sealed creates a seamless metal container that handles like a paper bag. This material's interior foil barrier contains all fluids and vapors, while the exterior layer provides strength and durability.
The BioSeal Facility System™ was first introduced in 1996 when the San Diego County Medical Examiner was required to respond to the Rancho Sante Fe Incident. This event involved 39 participants of the Heavens Gate Cult that committed suicide in anticipation of joining the comet Hale-Bopp. The Medical Examiner was faced with 39 decomposing human bodies having ingested an unknown substance that had the potential to be life threatening to the investigators, medical personnel, examiners, police and media.
Additional product configurations have been introduced, including the Mass Fatality Response Pak™, which has been used in the aftermath of plane crashes and other disasters, including the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the recent Asian Tsunami.
Working to improve air cargo security while offering a higher level of safety to passengers, crew and terminal staff, Mr. McWilliams developed the Standardized Human Remains Shipping Procedure in 2004. The procedure institutes a safer transport method utilizing both primary and secondary containment of human remains for all cargo transporters. In 2007, the following major airlines approved BioSeal™ Systems for primary containment of human remains on their aircraft: US Air, Continental Airlines, Alaska, American Airlines and Northwest Airlines.
Barrier Products, LLC has expanded the patented technology to provide packaging systems for absolute containment of all known hazardous vapors and fluids associated with the transport, handling and storage of hazardous, bio-hazardous and pathological
commodities. BioSeal® and BioShield products offer packaging systems for the Disaster Response, Law Enforcement, Coroner, Medical Examiner, Funeral Director, Hazmat & Food Packager Industries.
Barrier Products has clients worldwide, including: the Israeli Defense Ministry, U.S. Army Mortuary Affairs, the FBI, county sheriffs and coroners nationwide. BioSeal® Systems are in place in Australia, Asia, Japan, Israel, Europe, Canada and United States.
Product History Video
4.37 MB
