thedrifter
10-02-04, 06:17 AM
Marine Corps to add insect repellant to utilities
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 2004929153954
Story by Sgt. Salju K. Thomas
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 townesd@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 $2.50 per set.
8. Why are we considering doing this?
Patricio: This is a force protection issue. Treating uniforms with permethrin is one of the preventive measures to protect Marines from insect-born diseases. But it is not a cure all. Other preventive measures such as medications, DEET, protective netting, good field hygiene habits and common sense are all part of it.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200492915490/$file/permethrin_lowres.jpg
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael E. Quaranta, a corpsman with I Marine Expiditionary Force Group Aid Station, sprays camouflage utility uniforms with permethrin at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, in April 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, negating the need to treat uniforms in the field. Photo by: By Lance Cpl. J.C. Guibord
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/9572D3B2A3C71B1385256F1E006C05FE?opendocument
Ellie
Submitted by: MCB Quantico
Story Identification #: 2004929153954
Story by Sgt. Salju K. Thomas
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 townesd@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 $2.50 per set.
8. Why are we considering doing this?
Patricio: This is a force protection issue. Treating uniforms with permethrin is one of the preventive measures to protect Marines from insect-born diseases. But it is not a cure all. Other preventive measures such as medications, DEET, protective netting, good field hygiene habits and common sense are all part of it.
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/image1.nsf/Lookup/200492915490/$file/permethrin_lowres.jpg
Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael E. Quaranta, a corpsman with I Marine Expiditionary Force Group Aid Station, sprays camouflage utility uniforms with permethrin at Camp Fallujah, Iraq, in April 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, negating the need to treat uniforms in the field. Photo by: By Lance Cpl. J.C. Guibord
http://www.usmc.mil/marinelink/mcn2000.nsf/main5/9572D3B2A3C71B1385256F1E006C05FE?opendocument
Ellie