Mosquito bite protection evaluation of permethrin-treated US military combat uniforms

Authors: Bernier, Ulrich; PERRY, MELYNDA - Natick Soldier Center; JOHNSON, AMY - Natick Soldier Center

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/26/2015
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Historically, the loss of personnel from death and disease has greatly outnumbered the corresponding loss due to combat during military conflict. In 1951, the US military elected to treat their combat uniforms with a blend known as M-1960 for the purpose of personal protection from arthropods that transmit disease pathogens. In the late 1970s, alternative uniform fabric treatments were explored and in the 1980s permethrin was selected as the best insecticide for use an arthropod repellent treatment for uniform fabrics. In 1991, permethrin became the standard treatment of US military combat uniforms. In 2007 the U.S. Marine Corps transitioned from treatment with permethrin in the field to factory treatment of their 50/50 nylon/cotton Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniforms (MCCUUs). The US Army transitioned to factory treatment of uniforms in 2009. Over the past few years, an increasing proportion of combat uniforms are constructed from fabric comprised of nylon, rayon and fire resistant materials such as para-aramid or meta-aramid. These uniforms cannot be treated with permethrin in the field and must therefore be treated at the factory level. Incorporation of permethrin in the fabric significantly reduces the probability that a mosquito can bite through the uniform. Results from bite protection studies will be covered in this presentation. The emphasis will be on the performance of the newest fire-resistant uniforms; these include the US Marine Corps Enhanced Fire Resistant Combat Ensemble (EFRCE) and the US Army Fire Resistant Army Combat Uniform (FRACU) and FRACU type III.