Papers presented at the IDEA 1998 international nonwovens conference and exposition included Barrier Protection for Surgery in the Next Millennium; Planning for the Future -- Challenges for Medical Nonwovens; Communicating witht he U.S. Food & Drug Administration; Balancing Protection, Comfort, and Cost; Industrial Wipers for the New Millennium -- A Marketing Perspective; Rented Wipers Not So Environmentally Friendly; New Technology, New Opportunities; International Filtration Markets; Three Step Approach to Better Indoor Air Quality; ASTM Committee F21.3 Update on Cleanable Baghouse Filter Media Test Method; Filtration Markets & Issues; Media for Drinking Water; Absorbent Products -- Where Now?; The Next Generation of Backsheet Technologies; Self-Laminating Latex Bonded Airlaid Fabrics; The Cost of Sure Fit; Key Issues and Success Factors for Disposable Manufacturers; Diaper Closure Systems -- A Look Beyond; Automotive Filtration in Korea; Composites in Transportation -- The Role of Nonwovens; Environmental Control, Allergen Avoidance, and Antimicrobial Treatments; Adding Value with Antimicrobials; Developments in the Bedding Market; and Trends for Window Treatments. Book. numerous refs.