Duration of Effectiveness of Permethrin-Treated Clothing to Prevent Mosquito Bites Under Simulated Conditions

Abstract

Biological hazards such as exposure to ticks and mosquitoes can affect worker health. Permethrin is a repellant/insecticide approved for human use by the Environmental Protection Agency. Permethrin-treated clothing is commercially available to the public. Permethrin-treated clothing (50% cotton/50% nylon) has been shown to retain repellency through 70 washings. Work attire differs between state and consulting foresters, park rangers, etc.; hence, variation in protection from vector borne disease may exist