Background: Evidence suggests that wearing permethrin-treated military uniforms is not associated with current adverse health conditions. However, exposure through this route results in permethrin biomarker concentrations considerably higher than those in the U.S.
Population: The U.S. Army is exploring different methods of uniform treatment that reduce exposure while maintaining effective protection from insect vector-borne diseases.
Objective: To compare permethrin exposure when wearing two types of permethrin-treated military uniforms.
Methods: Eight male soldiers participated in a 32-day crossover design study to compare permethrin exposure when wearing the current Army uniform (CurrU) and a uniform with a new applied fabric treatment (NewU). Each soldier wore the uniforms for designated 8 h/day time periods over 3 consecutive days separated by a 'wash-out' week of no exposure. Permethrin exposure was assessed from the urinary concentrations of 3-phenoxybenzoic acid (3-PBA) and of the sum of cis- and trans-3-(2,2-dichlorovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (∑DCCA). Estimated dose was determined based on ∑DCCA concentrations.
Results: Permethrin exposure biomarkers were 21% (3-PBA, p = 0.025) and 35% (∑DCCA, p < 0.001) lower when wearing the NewU compared to the CurrU; the dose was 33% lower (p = 0.05).
Significance: Findings suggest the new treatment reduces human permethrin exposure biomarkers resulting from wearing-treated military uniforms.
Keywords: Absorbed dose; Military; Permethrin; Pesticides; Uniform treatment; Urinary biomarkers.
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