A retired Montgomery County, MD firefighter was searching for a second career in the boat business, and after hearing about the use of baking soda to strip flaking paint from boat hulls, he hit on an idea.

The nontoxic baking soda is used to remove paint from boats in a more environmentally friendly way than sand and other harsh materials. It’s an idea that’s catching on with those worried about the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

Read (AP via WTOP)