The hazardous carcinogens, bacteria and metals can cause cancer, a leading cause of death among firefighters. Author: Jennifer Hoff Updated: 5:35 PM CST February 22, 2021 EAGAN, Minn. — A Twin Cities company is doing something that hasn't been done anywhere else in the country, and it's all to take better care of our first responders. Emergency Technical Decon (ETD) uses a new cleaning process using liquified carbon dioxide to get rid of toxins from gear that firefighters wear, including boots, leather gloves, jackets and helmets. Jon Wikstrom started thinking about the idea three years ago. He built the lab in a warehouse in Eagan. Last month, he says ETD became the only verified cleaner in the country that uses this process after being certified by a third-party, nationally-recognized laboratory.