NIJ Advisory Notice #01-2005: Poly-p-phenylene benzobisoxazole (PBO or Zylon®)

Published August 24, 2005

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) hereby advises that it has identified poly-p-phenylene benzobisoxazole (commonly known as PBO or Zylon®) as a material that appears to create a risk of death or serious injury as a result of degraded ballistic performance when used in body armor. This is an NIJ Body Armor Standard Advisory Notice within the meaning of the NIJ 2005 Interim Requirements for Bullet-Resistant Body Armor (effective September 26, 2005).