Migration of Permethrin from Military Fabrics Under Varying Environmental Conditions. Phase 2

摘要

Clothing treated with the insecticide permethrin offers near complete protection against insect vectors when used in conjunction with topical insect repellents. Of concern is the leaching of permethrin from the military battle dress uniform (BDU) and the potential for skin absorption by the wearer. Migration of permethrin from two types of BDU fabrics, 100 percent cotton and a nylon/cotton blend (NYCO), was tested in animals. Swatches of fabric (50 cm2) impregnated with 14C-permethrin were worn by rabbits for 7 days and permethrin reaching the skin surface measured. Tests were performed under temperate and subtropical environmental conditions. The results showed that 3 to 4 percent of the permethrin fabric impregnant reached the skin surface of rabbits during 1 week of continuous wear. Varying the environment (temperate and subtropical), the fabric type (cotton or NYCO), or the use of simulated sweat (subtropical only), had little or no effect on permethrin leaching. Keywords: Absorption; Cotton; Fabric; Impregnant; Leaching; Permethrin; Rabbits; Insecticides; Subtropical. (jes)