Marine Corps to add insect repellant to utilities
JWissmille
5FE?opendocument
Marine Corps to add insect repellant to utilities
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story by: Computed Name: Sgt. Salju K. Thomas
Story Identification #: 2004929153954
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va(Sept. 29, 2004) -- The Marine Corps is
considering a new plan to treat the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform at
the factory level with permethrin prior to them hitting the shelves for sale
or issue.
Permethrin is a man-made insecticide, structurally similar to a naturally
occurring chemical called pyrethrum. Pyrethrum was initially derived from
the crushed dried flowers of the daisy Chrysanthemum, according to the
Environmental Protection Agency's Web site.
Permethrin currently is applied at the unit level prior to and during
deployment, said Lt. Col. Gabe Patricio, program manager, Infantry Combat
Equipment, Marine Corps Systems Command.
Factory treatment of uniforms would make the logistics of protection much
easier for units and individual Marines, said Navy Capt. Eric C. McDonald,
surgeon with I Marine Expeditionary Force.
There are two methods to apply permethrin in the field, said McDonald.
"The first is individual dynamic application kits; sometimes called the
'shake and bake' kit because an individual can treat one uniform in the kit
by placing it in a bag and shaking it up to saturate the uniform, then
taking it out to dry," said McDonald.
The other is method is mass spraying by preventive medicine technicians for
which large, open, non-windy, dirt free places to spray are required, said
McDonald.
"[There are] not many of those in the desert," said McDonald
"The current field application methods result in a high possibility of
untreated or incorrectly treated uniforms," said Patricio. He added that the
requirement to treat uniforms during a deployment also is a burden for the
units.
Commercial outdoor clothing pre-treated with permethrin is widely available
at many outdoor and sporting goods stores. Patricio sees the progression to
treating utility uniforms as a way to afford the same protection to Marines.
The EPA approved the treated items for wear by adults, children, and even
pregnant women, said Patricio.
Permethrin works as a contact insecticide, preventing insects from biting
through clothing. Permethrin is effective against multiple species of
crawling and flying insects, including mosquitoes, ticks, fleas, bedbugs,
chiggers and flies.
Uniforms treated with permethrin are probably the most important part of the
personal protection system to protect again insect-borne disease, said
McDonald. Biting insects can spread several diseases, including
leishmaniasis, malaria, West Nile virus, Lyme disease and encephalitis.
Permethrin-treated uniforms protect against these, said McDonald.
"It's easy for docs like me to be passionate about prevention, especially
when you've seen someone die from a preventable disease like malaria, or
become disfigured from a disease like leishmaniasis, or brain damaged from
insect-borne encephalitis," said McDonald.
During operations in Liberia, 80 deployed service members contracted
malaria, 75 percent of which were Marines, said Cdr. David L. McMillan,
preventive medicine officer at Headquarters Marine Corps. Most of their
uniforms were not treated with permethrin, he added.
"The data is very compelling," said Patricio. According to Army Maj. Dwight
L. Rickard of the Armed Forces Pest Management Board, the cost of treating
80 malaria cases at $2,800 each is $224,000. The cost of the loss in
readiness for one month for 80 cases is $1.2 million, bringing the total
loss to $1.4 million.
The cost of treating five sets of uniforms for 80 Marines at $8 per set
using a private company is $6,400. Patricio said he expects the cost of
treatment to be reduced to $2.50 per set as more suppliers enter the market
to provide this product. The Army, also considering this treatment for their
new combat uniform, could add the volume necessary for a significant
reduction in cost, according to the Army's Web site.
"This method of protecting our troops is safe," said Dee Townes, Marine
Combat Utility Uniform projects officer.
Testing has shown permethrin to be highly effective against insects even
after 50 home washings of the uniform. "The challenge now is to reproduce
these results in mass manufacturing process, and we're working very hard to
ensure this will be done right," said Patricio. MARCORSYSCOM continues tests
to determine the failure point compared to the service life of the uniform
and to verify its effectiveness against other insect threats.
Permethrin-treated uniforms will be clearly marked, said Patricio, and
deploying troops will be the first to get the uniforms. He said if the
commandant approves the current plan, he expects implementation
approximately 90 days from the decision, and complete transition to treated
uniforms on the shelves approximately nine to 12 months from the decision.
For additional information contact Dee Townes at tow...@mcsc.usmc.mil.
Lt. Col. Gabe Patricio, program manager, Infantry Combat Equipment, Marine
Corps Systems Command, and Cdr. David L. McMillan, preventative medicine
officer at Headquarters Marine Corps, answered the following questions in an
interview.
1. Why are we considering this new method of treatment?
Patricio: Treating permethrin at the production stage eliminates the risk of
Marines deploying to an area with untreated or incorrectly treated uniforms.
2. How is this different from the current method?
Patricio: Currently, uniforms are treated at the unit level or by
individuals.
3. How long will permethrin stay on the uniform?
Patricio: Testing has shown it to be highly effective against insects even
after 50 home washings of the uniform. Tests are still ongoing to find the
failure point.
4. When will the uniforms be available?
Patricio: If approved, implementation could start 90-180 days from decision,
with 9-12 months before complete transition.
5. Are there any health effects associated with using permethrin
treated-uniform?
McMillan: Repeated studies and evaluations have shown no proven, consistent
long-term health risks associated with permethrin use or exposure.
6. Is it okay to wash the treated uniform with a Marine's family's clothing?
Patricio: It is safe to wash the uniform with other clothing. Permethrin
does not easily come off the uniform.
7. How much is this going to cost?
Patricio: Currently, the cost of the uniform would increase $8 a set, though
as more suppliers enter the market the cost of the treatment could go as low
as $2.50 per set.
8. Why are we considering doing this?
Patricio: This is a force protection issue. Treating uniforms with
permethrin is one of the preventive measures to protect Marines from
insect-born diseases. But it is not a cure all. Other preventive measures
such as medications, DEET, protective netting, good field hygiene habits and
common sense are all part of it.
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