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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #278382
Title: Recent research on permethrin-treated United States military uniforms

Author
item Bernier, Ulrich
item PERRY, MELYNDA - Natick Soldier Center

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/26/2012
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: N/A

Technical Abstract: History is replete with examples of arthropod-borne illnesses affecting the outcome of military conflicts. Therefore, protection of our U.S. military is paramount when they are deployed on missions throughout the world. A part of the system to protect military personnel consists of wearing permethrin-treatment of field-worn combat uniforms. Since 1991, this was done in the field, but more recently the U.S. Marine Corps (2007) and Army (2010) have transitioned to factory-treated uniforms. Since our previous report at the 76th AMCA, we have completed studies on a variety of different uniform constructions. In 2010, specimens of 50:50 nylon:cotton Army Combat Uniform (ACU) factory-impregnated with permethrin were evaluated and these uniforms provided 99-100% protection from mosquito bites through 50 wash cycles. The qualification phase was also completed for the 65% Rayon/ 25% para-aramid / 10% nylon Fire-Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FRACU). In 2011, we completed qualification of treated Army Aircrew Uniforms (A2CUs) and have examined treated alternative (non-woven) experimental fabrics for their ability to prevent mosquito bites. The results of these studies will be presented along with a discussion of how they compare to the results with the treated combat uniforms that we have studied over the past 8 years.