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Research Project:
BITING ARTHROPODS: INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Location: Mosquito and Fly Research Unit
Title: Evaluation of the Bite Protection of U.S. Military Uniforms
Authors
Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: October 17, 2012
Publication Date: N/A
Technical Abstract:
USDA-ARS developed permethrin treatment of US Military combat uniforms in the late 1970s. The use of this pyrethroid as a uniform impregnate started in 1991. At that time, only field treatment methods existed for application of permethrin to fabric. Currently, factory treatment of uniforms with permethrin is the predominant method of impregnating permethrin. The use of binders with permethrin application result in uniforms that retain permethrin for longer durations and this process allows treatment of newer uniforms that contain fire resistant materials.
To assess the efficacy of uniforms, a bite protection protocol was developed by USDA-ARS in 2005 and conducted on US Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniforms in 2006-2007. This protocol is used to assess the efficacy of the permethrin application with respect to preventing mosquito bites through the treated fabric. The US Marine Corps was the first service branch that transitioned to a supply of combat uniforms that were entirely treated at the factory level. Since that time, the US Army has transitioned to uniforms that are treated at the factory level. During the past eight years of research on uniforms, there are factors related to the fabric construction that correlate with the ability of the treated fabric to prevent bites. This talk will present these factors and provide examples based on bite protection of the uniforms.
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Last Modified: 06/18/2013
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