NC_OLD170: Mediating Exposure to Environmental Hazards Through Textile Systems

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[11/22/2002] [11/18/2003] [10/12/2004] [10/12/2005] [09/30/2006]

Date of Annual Report: 11/22/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 09/26/2002 - 09/27/2002
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2001 - 09/01/2002

Participants

*Dr. Margaret Rucker, University of California, Davis, CA
*Dr. Mastura Raheel, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL
*Dr. Janis Stone, Iowa State University, Ames IA
*Dr. Anugrah Shaw, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
*Dr. Ann C. Slocum, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

*Dr. Kay Obendorf, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYMs.
Charlotte Coffman, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Dr. Susan Ashdown, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
*Dr. Donna Branson, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
Dr. Mary Winter, Administrative Advisor, Iowa State University, Ames IA
Dr. Gladys Vaughn, USDA-CSREES Representative, Washington, DC
*indicates voting member

Brief Summary of Minutes

Available at http://txnc170.human.cornell.edu/minutes.html

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND IMPACTS: Major accomplishments during the five-year funding period that ended on September 30, 2002 have been summarized by objectives and sub-objectives. Objective 1: To assess the viability of various textile systems for hand and body protection for selected occupations. A. Statistical Model During the five years, a large body of data was generated regarding characteristics of textiles and polymeric glove materials that determine their barrier efficacy against liquid pesticide formulations. Predictive statistical models were developed to estimate pesticide penetration through woven and nonwoven fabrics used as chemical-protective clothing for pesticide applicators. An internet-based interactive database has also been developed. B. Design and Human Factors Researchers and Extension Specialists collected data regarding knowledge, attitudes, and practices of youth, teens, and their parents on sun protection. Survey responses and research literature was used to develop a website targeted towards youth to disseminate information on sun protection. More technical information for adults on ultraviolet protection from clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen were linked to the youth web site. In addition, two surveys were conducted to increase understanding of the users attitudes and current practices with respect to sun safety. The surveys of adults identify information that needs to be included in educational material and provide guidance for targeting the material to more specific age, gender, or ethnic groups. The data collected will be used to develop educational materials to promoting reduction of ultraviolet exposure. A battery-powered, portable personal cooling garment system for use by HAZMAT first responders to terrorist threat is being developed as part an Oklahoma City National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism (MIPT) project. Thermal and moisture transport and other physical properties of potential garment are being measured C. Outreach Research findings and developments in the protective clothing industry were incorporated into development of educational materials and programs on the selection, use, and maintenance of personal protective equipment (including sun protection). PPE programs targeted agricultural workers, pesticide handlers, their families, educators, and a select public interested in health and safety issues. In addition, research and extension efforts have provided information on children‘s exposure to pesticides that is not only useful for parents but can potentially link our work with community-based organizations such as schools, planning boards, and childcare agencies. A website was developed to serve as a communication avenue for members, a resource for researchers, and an information source for consumers. Objective 2: To assess the effects of environmental exposure, use, and storage conditions on functional integrity of PPE for selected occupational settings. Effects of chemicals, sunlight and temperature on barrier properties and structural integrity of protective gloves were measured. A new film was developed from zein in 2000. Since zein is a highly hydrophobic and biodegradable material, its feasibility as a barrier textile covering was explored. Plasticizers such as oleic acid were incorporated in the polymer to increase the flexibility of zein films that could be used as splash protective clothing. Illinois also assessed the useful life of protective clothing during 2001. Information was generated to understand the barrier potential, physical integrity, and useful life of various protective clothing systems. Objective 3: To evaluate policies, regulations, and practices for environmentally sound disposal of PPE. Regulations, ordinances and state and federal legislation regarding selection, use and disposal of PPE for lawn care applicators were reviewed in two states. A survey instrument was developed and mailed to collect data from lawn care businesses. The results of the data indicate a number of problems, some of which are complex and difficult to address. Outcomes and Potential Impacts Responses indicate a variety of problems. Educational material can be prepared to address inappropriate clothing use or disposal methods. However, lack of education is not the only problem. Survey respondents expressed concerns about getting employees to use PPE consistently and to use it properly. If PPE is not comfortable or convenient to use, employees tend to ignore policies and regulations. This indicates the need for continued work to develop PPE that is both protective and comfortable to increase compliance. Furthermore, lack of enforcement or out-of-date lists of chemically sensitive persons indicate problems within the regulatory system. Objective 4: To propose standard methodology for industry-wide consensus standards for chemical protective clothing. A test method draft was submitted to The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) in 1999 for consideration as an ASTM standard. Inter-laboratory tests were conducted to refine the test procedure. The initiative led by this research project resulted in the approval of ASTM F213-01 entitled Standard Method for Measuring Repellency, Retention, and Penetration of Liquid Pesticide Formulation through Protective Clothing Materials. Studies were conducted in collaboration with institutions in Germany and Spain to compare three test methods used to measure the penetration of pesticides in Europe and the United States. A test method draft was submitted to the International Standards Organization for consideration as an ISO standard. It was approved as working draft ISO 22608. The draft was revised to include a simpler, gravimetric method for analysis, as well as comments submitted by member countries as part of the ISO balloting process. The revised draft has been submitted for balloting as a standard.

Publications

Guo, C., Stone, J., Stahr, H.M., and Shelley, M., Cleanup of gloves contaminated with granular terbufos and tefluthrin. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 42, 383-388,2002, Lee, S., Obendorf, S. K., A Statistical Model to Predict Pesticide Penetration through Nonwoven Chemical Protective Fabrics. Textile Research Journal. 71:1000-1009, 2001. Lemley, A., Hedge, A., Obendorf, S. K., Hong, S., Kim, J., Muss, T.M. and Varner, C. J., Selected Pesticide Residues in House Dust from Farmers Homes in Central New York State. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 69:155-163, 2002. Raheel, M. and Dai, G. X., Viability of Textile Systems for Hand and Body Protection: Effects of Chemical Interaction, Wear, and Storage Conditions. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. 69: (2), 164-172, 2002. Shaw, A., Cohen E., Hinz T., and Herzig, B., Laboratory Test Methods to Measure Repellency, Retention and Penetration of Liquid Pesticides through Protective Clothing: Part I Comparison of Three Test Methods, Textile Research Journal, 71:879-884, 2001. Stone, J. F., Lee, S-E., Kim, J., and Kwon, Y-A., The Relationships of Age to Sun Safety ttitude and Practices. Easytex 2002, Proceedings of the First International Conference on Clothing and Textiles for Disabled and Elderly People, Tampere, Finland.June 16-18, 2002. Stone, J., Lee, S-E., Kim, J., and Choi, Y.J., Clothing Choices for Ultraviolet Protection. Easytex 2002, Proceedings of the First International Conference on Clothing and Textiles for Disabled and Elderly People, Tampere, Finland, June 16-18, 2002. Sun Y., and Sun, G., Durable and Regenerable Antimicrobial Textile Materials Prepared by a Continuous Grafting Process. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 84(8), 2002, 1592-1599.

Impact Statements

The models and databases developed will assist in the selection of full body protective clothing and in the development of new materials. We found that we can use the manipulation of the surface tension of a textile relative to the chemical challenge to develop an ideal fabric with high protection and high air permeability for thermal comfort in hot, humid weather. These research results have been shared with producers of fabrics for the PPE market and with those training pesticide applicators.
The serious negative health effect of heat stress while wearing HAZMAT PPE is a significant problem.
Educational systems to encourage PPE adoption were developed and delivered. The website provides a mechanism for consumers to obtain information regarding ultraviolet exposure and sun safety. The research conducted by the group was used by extension specialists to provide input into changing government policy.
The knowledge regarding effects of environmental exposure, use, and storage conditions will be used in making recommendations for appropriate selection, use, and care of protective clothing.
Development of ASTM and ISO test methods will provide methods that can be used by researchers, industry, and governmental agencies.

Date of Annual Report: 11/18/2003

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 09/17/2003 - 09/18/2003
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2002 - 09/01/2003

Participants

A list of those attending can be found in the annual minutes, which are posted on the project website, http://txnc170.human.cornell.edu/minutes.html.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Objective 1: To improve protection and human factor performance of PPE through product development. A. Product Development Studies. Five research efforts by California, Colorado, and Oklahoma were directed toward product development. Work continued by California on the development of biocidal fabrics for medical textile products for reusable and disposable surgical gowns and wraps; work on the self decontamination of halamine structures continued; and a new technology for incorporating durable and rechargeable biocidal properties into Nomex fabrics was developed. An alpha prototype personal cooling system was developed by Oklahoma and the cooling effectiveness established in thermal manikin testing at the army‘s Natick Soldier Center. The effects of fiber composition, fabric weight, fabric thickness, cloth cover, and chemical pre-treatments and finishes on the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) was determined for selected textiles by Colorado. B. Protection Studies. Two field experiments and a computer simulation were used to assess UV exposure to human subjects. The field experiments conducted by Michigan demonstrated that shirt-weight fabrics reduced UV exposure but heavier shirt-weight fabrics and UV specialized fabrics were more effective in reducing UV exposure. Based on the field test results, a golf shirt was designed and used as a stimulus in a questionnaire to measure attitudes toward the design using two theoretical frameworks. Variables that were predictors of sun protective behaviors, and predictors of intention to buy were identified. Three-dimensional body scanning equipment was used by New York and Michigan to assess the effectiveness of five hat styles worn by participants assuming three body positions for playing golf for different sun angles and positions in relation to the sun. The 3-D scans were compared to images derived from digital photography to determine which methodology provided more meaningful information. C. Human Factor Studies. Four human factor studies were undertaken during the year. New York continued to work on the development of methodologies for using the 3-D body scanner as a tool for fit and design analysis, and initiated a literature review on the design and fit of protective coveralls. A fit analysis of two prototype cooling garments designed to be worn under chemical protective ensembles was conducted by New York and Oklahoma using a 3-D body scanner. Since conduction is the cooling transfer mechanism, a tight fitting garment regardless of body position is essential, yet, to be commercially viable, a minimum number of sizes is desirable. Seven first responders in three body positions wearing each of the prototype garments were scanned. Ongoing data analyses are expected to provide helpful information for design effectiveness and creation of a sizing system. Lastly, the thermal resistance of a subset of fabrics in the NC-170 fabric database was determined by Oklahoma using a sweating guarded hot plate for use in predicting thermal comfort associated with use of these fabrics. Objective 2: To examine user acceptance and barriers to acceptance of PPE products and practices. Six research projects and multiple outreach efforts were completed by Iowa, Michigan, New York and Oklahoma in support of objective 2. Four studies were focused toward pesticide exposure issues, two studies were focused on a prototype cooling system for first responders wearing PPE, and one study addressed sun exposure. The four pesticide studies included: a glove wear test by Iowa and New York greenhouse workers; a study to determine the presence of pesticide and other environmental contaminants by flooring in 42 New York homes; a study to determine the presence of pesticides and herbicides at various locations on selected tractors and spray rigs in New York; and a questionnaire on spray equipment and protective clothing administered to pesticide applicators and employers in Iowa, New York and Michigan. A set of four focus groups was conducted by Oklahoma to ascertain perceptions of first responders in four U.S. cities regarding a prototype personal cooling system designed to be worn under level A and B chemical protection ensembles. All confirmed the need for the cooling system and they provided insightful input for the next generation prototype system. A fit study was conducted by New York and Oklahoma using New York‘s 3-D body Scanner to determine the fit of two prototype cooling garments when worn by volunteer first responders. A survey at the 2002 Iowa Farm Progress Show yielded 1,804 responses to questions about sun practices, attitudes and clothing preferences. Outreach was accomplished by Iowa exhibits highlighting use of hats and shirts as a means of sun protection, by New York posters, seminars and workshops on pesticide safety, and by New York in maintaining the NC-170 website. Objective 3: To develop performance specifications for protective clothing materials. Illinois, Maryland and New York worked on the third objective. Illinois selected challenge liquids for determining barrier efficacy of PPE materials, developed alternate methods of measuring repellency, retention and penetration of the challenge liquids and pesticides, and developed predictive models for assessing barrier efficacy of woven and non-woven fabrics used for chemical protective clothing. Maryland continued work with ISO to seek approval of the draft ISO/DIS 22608. It will now be submitted for the Final Draft for International Standards ballot, the last stage in the approval process. Illinois, Maryland, New York and two laboratories from other countries participated in round robin testing in support of ISO/DIS 22608. Maryland will work with ASTM F-23 on developing performance specifications for work and protective garments for pesticide workers. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR On-going studies will be completed, data analyzed and manuscripts written. Work will continue on biocidal fabrics and development of performance specifications for PPE. Thermal mannequin tests will be conducted on firefighter protective clothing with various kinds of emblems; a physiological human subject test of two prototype cooling systems will be conducted; a study examining the effect of enzymatic treatments on UV protection will be conducted; and a pilot study with existing coveralls will be conducted using the 3-D body scanner to establish protocols and methods of analysis.

Publications

Refereed Publications Haise, C. L., & Rucker, M. (2003). The Flight Attendant Uniform: Effects of Selected Variables on Flight Attendant Image, Uniform Preferences and Employee Satisfaction. Social Behavior and Personality, 31 (6), 565-576. Jain, R. & Raheel, M. (2003). Barrier Efficacy of Woven and Non-woven Fabrics Used for Protective Clothing: Predictive Models. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology, 71: (3), 437-446. Kline, A. A., Landers, A. J., Hedge, A., Lemley, A.T., Obendorf, S.K., & Dokuchayeva, T. (2003). Pesticide Exposure Levels on Surfaces within Sprayer Cabs. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 19(4):397-404. Krenzer, G., Starr, C., & Branson, D. Development of a Sports Bra Prototype. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, (in press). Loker, S., Cowie, L.S. & Ashdown, S. Female Consumers‘ Reactions to Body Scanning. Clothing and Textile Research Journal, (in press). Lukas, D. & Pan, N. (2003). Wetting of a Fiber Bundle in Fibrous Structures. Polymer Composites, 24, 314-322. Obendorf, S. K., Csiszar, E., Maneefuangfoo, D., & Borsa, J. (2003). Kinetic Study of Transport of Pesticide from Contaminated Fabric Through a Model Skin. Archive of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 45(2): 283-288. Ma, M., Sun, Y., & Sun, G. (2003). Antimicrobial Cationic Dyes: Part 1: Synthesis and Characterization. Dyes and Pigments, 58, 27-35. Qian, L. & Sun, G. (2003). Durable and Regenerable Antimicrobial Textiles: Synthesis and Applications of 3-methylog-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazolidin-4-one (MTMIO). Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 89, 2418-2425. Stone, J., Kim, J., Branson, D., & Peksoz, S. An Exploratory Wear Study of Experimental Sun Hat Designs. Korean Society for Clothing Industry (English Edition). (in press). Sun, Y. & Sun, G. (2003). Novel Refreshable N-Halamine Polymeric Biocides: Grafting Hydantoin-Containing Monomers onto High-Performance Fibers by a Continuous Process. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 88, 1032-1039. Zhang, X. & Raheel, M. (2003). Statistical Model for Predicting Pesticide Penetration in Woven Fabrics Used for Chemical Protective Clothing. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology. 70: (4), 652-659. Proceedings Hedge, A, Kline, A.A., Lemley, A.T., Obendorf, S.K. Dokuchayeva, T., & Gaskins, V. "Contaminants in Floor Dust, Indoor Air 2002". The 9th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, International Academy of Indoor Air Science, Monterey, CA (2002), p. 998-1003. Zhang, X. & Raheel, M. "Predicting Pesticide Penetration in Woven Fabrics Used for Chemical Protective Clothing". Proceedings of the 2nd European Conference on Protective Clothing (ECPC) and NOKOBETEF 7. Montreux, Switzerland, May 21-24, 2003. Theses/Dissertations Jain, R. S. Barrier Efficacy of Woven and Non-woven Fabrics Used for Protective Clothing: Predictive Models. M.S. Thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, May, 2003. Sung, H. . Golfers‘ UV Exposure, Health Beliefs and Practices, and Intention to Adopt UV Protective Clothing. Unpublished Dissertation. Michigan State University, 2003. Non-Refereed Publications Extension Publications Breen, N. Carpet Vacuuming & Cleaning, Textiles & Apparel News, Cornell University, November 2002. Coffman, C. Pesticide Safety Educational Materials, Textiles & Apparel News, Cornell University, September 2003. Coffman, C. Insect-repellent Apparel, Textiles & Apparel News, Cornell University, September 2003. Coffman, C. The Phthalate Question, Textiles & Apparel News, Cornell University, June 2003. Coffman, C. Shelter from the Sun, Textiles & Apparel News, Cornell University, June 2003. Coffman, C. CCA-Treatment of Wood Discontinued, Textiles & Apparel News, Cornell University, April 2003. Coffman, C. Useful Resources on Pesticide Topics, Textiles & Apparel News, Cornell University, February 2003. Stone, J. Is it time to change your hat? Pm-1683 Revised. Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. July 2003. Stone, J. Consumer Choices: Understanding Apparel and Furnishings Textiles, Pm-734 Revised. Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, 2003. Stone, J. Consumer Choices: Using Textile Labels, Pm-733 Revised. Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, 2003. Stone, J. Consumer Choices: How to Complain and Get Results, Pm-716, Revised. Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, 2003. Stone, J. & Kadolph. S. Facts about Fabric Flammability, NCR-174, Revised. Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. July 2003. Audio-Visual Publications Stone, J., Heer, R., Abbott, B. (2003) "How shady is your t-shirt?" Table Top Educational Exhibit. Internet Occupational Safety and Protective Clothing, http://txnc170.cornell.edu/ Personal Pesticide Protection, http://www.humec.cornell.edu/units/txa/extension/pest/ Body Scanning for Apparel, www.explore.cornell.edu/bodyscanner Sizing and Fit of Apparel, http://www.human.cornell.edu/txa/faculty/SizingSystems/index_flash.html Media Coverage Gardy, Rebecca, The Shape of Things to Come, American Demographics, July/August 2003. Refereed Presentations Ashdown, S.P., Loker, S., and Adelson, C. "Use of Body Scan Data to Design Sizing Systems Based on Target Markets" (poster), National Textile Center Forum, February 10-12, 2003. Branson, D.H., Farr, C.A. and Cao, H. "Development of a Prototype Personal Cooling System for First Responders in Level A Gear." INFire Annual Conference, Impact of Terrorism in the Information Age, Oklahoma City, OK, May 2003. Cao, H., Branson, D., Nam, J., Jansen, B., Peksoz, S., and Farr, C. "Liquid Cooling Garments: A Study of Water Flow Rate." International Textiles & Apparel Association Annual Conference, Savannah, GA., November 2003. Coffman, C. "Reducing the Risk of Operator Contamination from Pesticides." Poster Session, Galaxy II Conference, Salt Lake City, UT, September 2003. Coffman, C. "Pesticide Residues and other Allergens in Homes." Poster Session, Association of Cornell Cooperative Extension Educators 2002 Conference, Ithaca, NY, October, 2002. Coffman, C. "Reducing the Risk of Operator Contamination form Pesticides." Poster Session, Association of Cornell Cooperative Extension Educators 2002 Conference, Ithaca, NY, October, 2002. Lee, Young-A, Ashdown, S., & Slocum, A.C. "Evaluation of Sun overage of Protective Hats for Golfers; Using Three-Dimensional Body Scan Data." International Textile & Apparel Association Annual Conference, November 2003. Obendorf, K., Csiszar, E., Maneefuangfoo, D., & Borsa, J. "M01-CR02 Improving the Understanding and Acceptance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Kinetic Transport of Pesticide from Contaminated Fabric Through a Model Skin" (poster), National Textile Center Forum, February 10-12, 2003. Sarkar, A.K., "Influence of Fabric Characteristics on UV Transmission." AATCC International Conference & Exhibition, Charlotte, NC, 2002. Shaw, A. & Abbi, R. "Comparison of Gravimetric & Gas Chromatographic Methods for Assessing Performance of Textile Materials against liquid Pesticides." 2nd European Conference on Protective Clothing (ECPC), Montreux, Switzerland, May 21-24, 2003. Song, K. & Stone, J. "Consumer Preferences for Design Features of Sun-Safe Shirts." International Textile & Apparel Association Annual Conference, November 2003. Sung, Heewon, Slocum, A.C. "UV Radiation Exposure to Body Sites of Golfers and Effects of Clothing." International Textile & Apparel Association Annual Conference, November 2003. Zhang, X. & Raheel, M. "Predicting Pesticide Penetration in Woven Fabrics Used for Chemical Protective Clothing." 2nd European Conference on Protective Clothing (ECPC) and NOKOBETEF 7, Montreux, Switzerland, May 21-24, 2003, #24. Non-Refereed Presentations Coffman, C. "Pesticide Residues in the Home," Pesticide Update, Fishkill, N.Y. March 2003. Coffman, C. "Interpreting Personal Protective Equipment Label Statements, PPE: Selection, Use, and Maintenance, Can Engineering Controls Replace PPE, and Pesticide Residues in NY Homes." Greenhouse Workforce Training, Hamden, NY. December 2003.

Impact Statements

Advances in research related to UV and pesticide protection, biocidal fabric development, and incorporation of human factors considerations into development of PPE have theoretical and practical impacts.
The investigation and development of methodologies for using equipment in innovative ways to generate new knowledge is significant.
Advancement continued on standard methods development for ISO and ASTM processes, suggesting the potential for considerable global impact for testing PPE.
Outreach programs were developed and delivered in multiple states to encourage better use and care of PPE by varied audiences.

Date of Annual Report: 10/12/2004

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/05/2004 - 08/06/2004
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2003 - 09/01/2004

Participants

Dr. Margaret Rucker, University of California, Davis, CA;
Dr. Gang Sun, University of California, Davis;
*Dr. Mastura Raheel, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL;
*Dr. Anugrah Shaw, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD;
*Dr. Kay Obendorf, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY;
Ms. Charlotte Coffman, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY;
Dr. Susan Ashdown, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY;
*Dr. Donna Branson, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK;
*Dr. Ajoy K. Sarkar, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO;
* Dr. Karen LaBat, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN;
Dr. Mary Winter, Administrative Advisor, Iowa State University, Ames IA
*indicates voting member

Brief Summary of Minutes

Available at http://txnc170.human.cornell.edu/minutes.html

NC 170: Mediating Exposure To Environmental Hazards Through Textile Systems

Members in Attendance: Mastura Raheel (Illinois), Anugrah Shaw (Maryland), Charlotte Coffman (New York), Susan Ashdown (New York), Donna Branson (Oklahoma), Margaret Rucker (California), Kay Obendorf (New York), Ajoy Sarkar (Colorado), Huantian Cao (Oklahoma), Karen LaBat (Minnesota) and Mary Winter (Iowa, Administrative Adviser)

" Dr Branson called the meeting to order at 9:00 and asked the two new members to introduce themselves. Dr. LaBat and Dr. Cao indicated they were both interested in focusing on product development.
" Dr. Winter indicated that there was no news yet regarding the homeland security proposal. She also reported that a new faculty member from Iowa State University may be interested in joining NC 170.
" Election of Officers: Dr. Susan Ashdown was elected chair for next year and Dr. Sarkar was elected secretary for next year.
" State project reports were given, based on previously e-mailed reports. Researchers pointed out work completed, in process, and/or planned cooperatively with other agencies.
o Objective group meeting occurred for the planning of work for the following year.
o The possibility of establishing a national network for protective clothing research and outreach was discussed.
§ Resources available to the group were discussed. Dr. Ramkumar was contacted by telephone for more information about his activated carbon liner fabric and he indicated it had been tested successfully against a selection of toxic chemicals. The group also discussed a non-woven material developed by Dr. Ramkumars group for possible use in a coverall for workers using pesticides. Dr. Ramkumar said he would provide samples for testing and design assessment. Stitchless thermal bonding material can be obtained from Oklahoma. The group does not yet have a summary statement of what we can contribute to homeland security problems. Dr. LaBat agreed to prepare the statement for group review.
Objective 1 and 2 met to discuss work on a coverall that would be comfortable while providing both UV and pesticide protection. Dr. Sarkar will test fabrics for UV protection. Members from New York, Oklahoma and Minnesota will participate in a conference call to discuss wearer needs and design issues. This call should result in the development of at least one prototype. California members will continue to explore issues related to disposable versus reusable protective garments, especially for health care workers and first responders. Dr. Branson will take responsibility for developing a literature review of first responder articles and Dr. Rucker will take responsibility for a literature review of medical textile articles.
Objective 3 discussed the possibility of an online system concerning performance specifications for protective clothing materials. Maryland will work with New York on applications and sources of outside funding.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

Objective 1: To improve protection and human factor performance of PPE through product development. A. Product Development Studies. Research efforts by California, Oklahoma, and Texas were directed toward product development. California has developed a novel technology for self-decontaminating fire protective clothing. Nomex fabrics were chlorinated in a simple wet treatment; fabrics finished in this way exhibited rapid and rechargeable antibacterial functions while retaining existing mechanical and fire resistant properties. Oklahoma completed a large 3-year collaborative effort to develop a personal portable cooling system. The design of a battery-powered, portable, personal cooling garment system for use by HAZMAT first responders wearing chemical protective level A and B gear was refined based on previous work for final testing. Texas used a state-of-the-art contoured needle zone needle punching machine to develop a three-layered flexible decontamination wipe. Research on an antiballistic chest shield has resulted in light weight composite shield for which a US Patent has been approved. Metal oxide nanofiber webs with catalytic destructive abilities against toxic chemicals, pesticides and chemical warfare agents have been created using an electrospinning technique. Fiber-based filters and membranes have been investigated to evaluate the adsorption and filtration capabilities against contaminants such as perchlorates and arsenic. B. Protection Studies. California tested the effect of emblems on thermal properties of wildland firefighter uniforms. Radiant protective performance (RPP) tests were conducted on Nomex fabric swatches with two types of emblems. Although the emblems burned for a brief period of time, the extra thickness resulted in better RPP values. Tests of thermal properties of protective clothing systems in different conditions of hydration were initiated in cooperation with researchers at the University of Alberta using their thermal mannequin. One set of tests has been completed where the garments were conditioned but no additional moisture applied. A second set of tests will involve the addition of moisture. Colorado research examined the influence of natural colorants on the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) of cotton fabrics. It was found that colorants of plant and animal origin are an effective deterrent against ultraviolet radiation. Michigan completed analyses of two field experiments in which measurement of UV exposure were made using polysulphone film dosimeters on the body, over and under clothing. C. Human Factor Studies. Oklahoma conducted a physiological study to determine the effectiveness of a personal cooling system with positive results. Six subjects participated in the study which simulated the work involved in responding to an incident involving hazardous agents. Subjects wore protective clothing (level A and B suits) with and without the cooling garments (two prototypes) Core temperature, skin temperature at multiple locations, sweat rate at multiple locations, heart rate and microclimate temperature and humidity were recorded throughout the 30-minute test. Perceptual data were taken at several points via ballots over the experiment. Oklahoma assessed the fit of two prototype cooling vests for use with chemical protective clothing from body scan data collected in New York. Subjects were scanned in active poses and expert judges rated the fit of the vests from the scans. Although both prototypes were judged to have good fit, one received higher ratings. Protocols for automatically measuring the distances (ease values) between superimposed body scans with and without the cooling vests have been developed by New York, and a set of these distance data are being analyzed by Oklahoma. Iowa collected survey data on consumer preferences for sun-safe shirt features and sun safety attitudes at a Farm Progress Show sun-safety exhibit. Visitor responses (n = 1,508) suggested the need for further education to achieve behavior modification to limit exposure to the suns ultraviolet rays. New York continued developing tools and methods for use of body scan data for analysis of protective clothing properties, fit and performance. Studies of body measurement changes associated with movement and the fit and performance of protective coveralls for agricultural workers are underway. Scan data has been collected and is being analyzed on seated and standing postures for 49 subjects, and flexed and abducted arm positions for 30 subjects. New York and Iowa completed a wear test on gloves and liners worn by greenhouse workers. Iowa analyzed the gloves and liners for contamination levels after one wearing. High performance liquid chromatography analysis was made of four of the chemicals applied during the wear study. New York completed the statistical analyses of responses from pesticide applicators in IA, MI, and NY regarding their understanding of PPE requirements when using engineering controls. Residues for 17 pesticides were analyzed in 41 households in central New York to identify factors that influence both the transport into and the redistribution of pesticides in the indoor environment. Michigan and New York analyzed body scan data collected in New York to determine the area of shadow provided by five sun hats worn by golfers. Different stances, sun angles, and orientations to the sun were studied. Objective 2: To examine user acceptance and barriers to acceptance of PPE products and practices. New York continued its outreach to pesticide applicators, their families, and agriculture and safety educators through certification training, workshops, exhibits, publications, websites, and telephone responses. New York continues to maintain the NC-170 Regional Research website on a server in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. New York initiated a study using surveys, interviews and field photography to quantify problems with coveralls and to record active working positions of field workers for agricultural applications. Maryland has developed an online system entitled Work and Protective Clothing for Agricultural Workers to provide access to a large body of technical data pertaining to clothing worn by agricultural workers, for users and for researchers and developers of pesticide protective clothing. Work has begun to add a predictive model as part of this site which allows the user to estimate the percent penetration of pesticide through fabrics based on their properties. The statistical model has been developed to predict penetration of homogeneous formulations through woven fabrics. Oklahoma analyzed data from four focus groups that addressed needs of first responders for personal cooling systems as worn with chemical protective clothing. Results were used in the refinement of the designs for the cooling vests. California conducted a new survey of hospital purchasing agents and healthcare workers to assess healthcare workers perceptions of medical textiles, including fabrics with a new biocidal finish. Objective 3: To develop performance specifications for protective clothing materials. Work on the standard ISO 22608 Protective clothing : Protection against liquid chemicals; Measurement of repellency, retention, and penetration of liquid pesticide formulations through protective clothing materials has been completed by Maryland, Illinois, and New York and the standard has been published by ISO. Preliminary work on the development of a performance specification for selection, use, care and maintenance of protective clothing for pesticide users is underway. Discussion of the standard has been initiated at an ASTM sub-committee meeting on Chemical Protection. Existing performance specifications have been obtained to be used to develop the first draft of the standard. Texas has done preliminary work on a simple method to quantify the friction and hand related properties of textile materials and composites. Colorado has begun a study focused on developing a method for predicting the UPF of fabrics by determining percent cover using a digital stereo microscope. Preliminary results are promising. New York developed statistical models estimating the level of protection and thermal comfort performance based upon 18 woven fabrics using simple fabric and liquid parameters. Illinois worked on selection of the most important parameters that determine performance specifications for PPE. The most significant factors that determine barrier efficacy of PPE materials based on laboratory physical and chemical testing and analyses were developed earlier. Additional physical characteristics related to structural integrity of pesticide applicators clothing were identified. In addition, Illinois developed predictive models to estimate barrier efficacy of woven and non-woven fabrics used for protective clothing. An Inter-laboratory Round Robin test, using the gravimetric method developed at Illinois was completed in conjunction with the submission of a Draft Proposal, ISO/DIS22608 to the International Standards Organization (ISO). In March 2004 ISO 22608 was approved and has been published as an ISO standard.

Publications

Wen Zhong and Ning Pan, (2003), A Computer Simulation of Single Fiber Pull Out Process in a Composite, Journal of Composite Materials, Vol. 37, 1951-1969. David Lukas and Ning Pan, (2003), Wetting of a Fiber Bundle in Fibrous Structures, Polymer Composites, Vol 24, 314-322. Yuping Zhang, Xungai Wang and Ning Pan, (2003), An Experimental Examination of Fiber Reinforcing Effect in a Novel Composite, Composites Part B: Engineering, Vol 34, 499-505. Yuyu Sun and Gang Sun, (2003), Novel Refreshable N-Halamine Polymeric Biocides: Grafting Hydantoin-Containing Monomers onto High-Performance Fibers by a Continuous Process, Journal of Applied Polymer Science. V88, 1032-1039. Lei Qian and Gang Sun, (2003), Durable and Regenerable Antimicrobial Textiles: Synthesis and Applications of 3-Methylol-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazolidin-4-one (MTMIO), Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 89, 2418-2425. Louise Ko Huang and Gang Sun, (2003), Durable and Regenerable Antimicrobial Cellulose with Oxygen Bleach: Concept Proofing, AATCC Review, V. 3, No. 10, 17-21. Louise Ko Huang and Gang Sun, (2003) Durable and Oxygen Bleach Rechargeable Antimicrobial Cellulose: Sodium Perborate as an Activating and Recharging Agent, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol. 42. No. 22, 5417-5422. Lei Qian and Gang Sun, (2004), Durable and Regenerable Antimicrobial Textiles: Improving Efficacy and Durability of Biocidal Functions, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 91, 2588-2593. Ping Zhu and Gang Sun, (2004), Antimicrobial Finishing of Wool Fabrics: Using Quaternary Ammonium Salts, Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 93. 1037-1041. Minghua Ma and Gang Sun (2004), Antimicrobial Cationic Dyes: Part 2: Thermal and Hydrolytic Stability, Dyes and Pigments, 63, No. 1, 39-49 Stone J.F., Kim J., Branson, D.H., Peksoz, S. (2003) An exploratory wear study of experimental sun hat designs. Journal of the Korean Society for Clothing Industry, 5(6)565-573. December. Shaw, A., Eva Cohen, Torsten Hinz, "Laboratory Test Methods to Measure Repellency, Retention and Penetration of Liquid Pesticides through Protective Clothing: Part II Comparison of Three Test Methods", Textile Research Journal, Vol. 74, No.8, 684-688 (2004) Shaw, Anugrah and Ruchika Abbi, (2004) "Comparison of Gravimetric and Gas Chromatographic Methods for Assessing Performance of Textile Materials against Liquid Pesticides", International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, Vol.10, No.3, 255-261 Hild, D. N., Obendorf, S. K., and Fok, W. Y., (2004) Mapping of Spin Finish Oils on Nylon 66 Fibers, Textile Research Journal 74 (3):187-192 Obendorf, S. Kay. (2004) Microscopy to Define Soil, Fabric and Detergent Formulation Characteristics that Affect Detergency: A Review, AATCC Review 4 (1):17-23 Ashdown, S. P., Loker, S., Schoenfelder, K. A., and Lyman-Clarke, L.(2004) Using 3D Scans for Fit Analysis. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, 4,(1) www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm/volume4issue1/articles/Loker/Loker_full_103_04.pdf Loker, S., Cowie, L. S., Ashdown, S., and Lewis, V. D. (2004)Consumer Reactions to Body Scanning. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 22 (4): 151-160. Branson, D.H., Farr, C.A., Peksoz, S., Nam, J., and Cao, H. (2004, January). Development of a prototype personal cooling system for first responders: User input. Eighth ASTM Symposium on Performances of Protective Clothing: Global Needs and Emerging Markets, Tampa, FL. Cao, H., Branson, D.H., Nam, J., Peksoz, S. and Farr, C.A. (2004, January).Development of a cooling capability test method for liquid-cooled textile systems. Eighth ASTM Symposium on Performances of Protective Clothing: Global Needs and Emerging Markets, Tampa, FL Ramkumar, S. S., and Roedel, C., (2003), A Study of the Needle Penetration Speeds on the Frictional Properties of Nonwoven Webs: A New Approach, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 89 (13), 3626-3631. Chinnasami, S., and Ramkumar, S. S., (2003), Development of a Fabric Friction Calculator, AATCC Review, 3 (11), 20-23. Ramkumar, S. S., Umrani, A., Shelly, D. C., Tock, R. W., Parameswaran, S. and Smith, M. L., (2004), Study of the Effect of Sliding Velocity on the Frictional Properties of Nonwoven Substrates, Wear, 256, 221-225. Ramkumar, S. S., Rajanala, R., Parameswaran, S., Paige, R., Shaw, A., Shelly, D. C., Anderson, T. A., Cobb, G. P., Mahmud, R., Roedel, C., and Tock, R.W. (2004), Experimental Verification of Failure of Amontons Law in Polymeric Textiles, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 91 (6), pp. 3879-3885. Hermann, D., Ramkumar, S. S., Seshaiyer, P. Parameswaran, S. (2004), Frictional Study of Woven Fabric: Relationship Between Friction and Velocity of Testing, Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 92 (4), 2420-2424. Presentations: Raheel, M. and Jain, R., (2003). A Statistical Model for Predicting Effectiveness of Woven and Non-woven Protective Clothing Against Pesticide Penetration, at the AATCC International Conference, Greenville, S. C. September 9-12. Shaw, Anugrah and Ruchika Abbi, (2004), Online System for Selection of Clothing Materials for Pesticide Users, International Conference on High Performance Textiles and Apparel, Coimbatore, India Coffman, Charlotte. (2004), Personal Protective Equipment When Handling Pesticides, Pesticide Applicator Certification Orientation, Ithaca, NY, January 14. Coffman, Charlotte. (2004), Protecting Your Health When Applying Pesticides, Food Processing Sanitation and Pest Management, Rochester, NY. February 10. Coffman, Charlotte Coffman. (2004) Glove Study and Whats New in PPE for Greenhouse Pesticide Applicators, 2004 Greenhouse Update, Ithaca, NY. February 12. Ning Pan, You-Lo Hsieh, Kay Obendorf, Steve Witaker, (2004), Study of Transport Phenomena in Fibrous Substrates-Liquids and solids Interaction (poster), National Textile Center Forum, February 16. Seungsin Lee and S. Kay Obendorf, (2004), M01-CR02: Improving the Understanding and Acceptance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): A Statistical Model of Pesticide Penetration through Woven Work Clothing Fabrics (poster), National Textile Center Forum, February 16. Seungsin Lee and S. Kay Obendorf, (2004), A Statistical Model of Pesticide Penetration through Woven Work Clothing Fabrics, Fiber Society meeting, May 19, St. Louis. Theses and Dissertation: Jinhee Nam. Development, Modification and Fit Analysis of Liquid-cooled Vest Prototypes Using 3D Body Scanner. Unpublished M.S. Thesis. Oklahoma State University, 2004. Lo Stuart Tsui , (2004), Using Compost as a Filter Medium to Remove Agri-chemicals from Subsurface Drainage System. Ph. D Dissertation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL 61801, June. Abstracts: Lee, Y., Ashdown, S., & Slocum, A.C. (2003). Evaluation of sun coverage of protective hats for golfers using three-dimensional body scan data. [Abstract] International Apparel and Textiles Association Proceedings, Monument, CO. [Online] at: www.itaaonline.org/index2.html. Sung, Heewon and Slocum, Ann C. (2003). UV radiation exposure to body sites of golfers and effects of clothing. [Abstract] International Apparel and Textiles Association Proceedings, Monument, CO. [Online] at: www.ITAAonline.org/index2.html. Extension Articles: Coffman, Charlotte and Stone, Janis. Glove Liner Study, Textile & Apparel News, Cornell University, 19 (5): 4, November, 2003. Media coverage: Winter, Metta. Engineering Textiles to Protect Workers from Toxic Chemicals, Human Ecology, 31(3): 18-21. May, 2004

Impact Statements

The work on improving biocidal properties of fabrics for first responder uniforms will provide garments more suitable for the variety of hazards encountered in rescue activities.
The glove liner study supports the EPA proposal to allow pesticide applicators to wear disposable cotton glove liners under chemical-resistant gloves. Responses of pesticide applicators and employers will help shape expanded educational efforts on the influence of engineering controls on PPE requirements
The serious negative health effect of heat stress while wearing HAZMAT PPE is a significant problem, which is addressed by the development of an effective portable cooling system for first responders and other users.
Development of standards, predictive models, and research methods contribute systematic and critical knowledge about the protective efficacy of materials and clothing for protection. The predictive models form a major contribution to the industry wide use of standard procedures for screening of newer protective clothing and materials.

Date of Annual Report: 10/12/2005

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/04/2005 - 08/05/2005
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2004 - 09/01/2005

Participants

*Dr. Margaret Rucker, University of California, Davis, CA;

Dr. Gang Sun, University of California, Davis, CA;

*Dr. Anugrah Shaw, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD;

*Dr. Kay Obendorf, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY;

Ms. Charlotte Coffman, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY;

*Dr. Susan Ashdown, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY;

*Dr. Huantian Cao, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK;

*Dr. Ajoy K. Sarkar, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.;

*Dr. Karen LaBat, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN;

Dr. Lynn Boorady, Ph.D. University of Missouri-Columbia;

*Dr. Seshadri S. Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX;

Dr. Marilyn Delong, Admin. Advisor, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN;

*indicates voting member

Brief Summary of Minutes

Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting:
Available at http://txnc170.human.cornell.edu/minutes.html

Work Planned for Next Year

California: Work on biocidal fabrics & development of performance specifications for PPE; Thermal mannequin tests will be completed on firefighter protective clothing with different moisture conditions; Evaluation of performance properties of protective clothing materials.

Colorado: On-going studies investigating effect of post-enzymatic dyeing on UPF & percent cover; other fabric constructions being studied to verify whether results obtained for knit fabric holds for other fabrics as well.

Oklahoma: Complete exploratory study of chemical detection smart textiles. Investigation of using portable spectrophotometer instead of desktop spectrophotometer in spectral measurement. Body armor study will continue with development of modular extremity protection. If HSARPA Phase II grant received another laboratory physiological study & small scale field test will be planned & implemented over next 2 years.

Maryland: Work with statistician to compare worker exposure data with laboratory data; develop final performance specification draft to be submitted to ASTM Intern'l for subcommittee ballot; work with European Crop Protection Association.

Minnesota: Investigate use of motion capture system to evaluate motion in PPE; test cool glove in collaboration with University of Minnesotas Extreme Environments Lab; study body shapes & related garment forms for very large/obese people; assess effectiveness of current Minnesota Sun Smart Program in delivering sun safety message, revise program as needed.

New York: Continue work on membranes for improved protective clothing; develop novel microporous membranes that respond to moisture/liquid content for use in chemical & biological protective clothing; increase multifunctionality of membranes by adding antimicrobial properties; to develop with polyolefin at the hydrophobic structural porous membrane with hydrophilic graft. Will complete analysis of data collected from agricultural workers on PPE for pesticide protection & coordinate development & production of new prototype design based on data.

Texas: Will continue to refine TGA method to precisely quantify adsorption properties of PPE & wipes. Sliding friction method will be evaluated using wide variety of nonwoven fabrics. Parallel studies will continue on characterization of self cleaning abilities of nanofibers & the UV absorbtion abilities of fabrics.

Accomplishments

Accomplishments and Impacts: Major accomplishments during the past funding year that ended September 30, 2005 are summarized by objectives and sub-objectives below. Objective 1: To improve protection and human factor performance of PPE through product development. A. Product Development Studies Research efforts by California, New York, Oklahoma, and Texas were directed toward product development. California has developed a novel technology for biologically self-decontaminating fire protective clothing. Nomex IIIa fabrics were chlorinated in a simple chlorine bleaching process; the thus treated fabrics exhibited rapid and rechargeable antibacterial functions while retaining existing mechanical and fire resistant properties. GenTex Corporation is interested in applying this technology on a military product with biological and fire protections. New York has developed electrospun polypropylene fiber webs and laminates using melt-electrospinning to explore an alternative way of manufacturing protective clothing materials for agricultural workers. Electrospun polypropylene webs were fabricated in two levels of thickness. To examine the effect of lamination on the protection/thermal comfort properties, the webs were laminated on nonwoven fabric substrates. Barrier performance was evaluated for the electrospun webs and laminates with different levels of web thickness, using two pesticide mixtures that represent a range of surface tension and viscosity. Effects of web thickness and lamination on air permeability and water vapor transmission were assessed as indications of thermal comfort performance. Penetration testing shows that electrospun polypropylene webs provide excellent barrier performance against the high surface tension challenge liquid, whereas the laminated fabrics of electrospun polypropylene webs exhibited performance of 90 to 100 percent for challenge liquids with varying surface tension. No significant difference was observed in barrier performance from the web thickness for the experimental conditions. Air permeability of the electrospun polypropylene web decreased by approximately 20 percent due to the lamination and web thickness, but was still higher than most of the materials currently in use for protective clothing. The water vapor transmission of the electrospun polypropylene web was reduced by up to 12 percent by the lamination and increase in web thickness as well, but was still in a range comparable to woven work clothing fabrics. Oklahoma conducted a one-year exploratory research project, funded by the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Intelligence Community, to use textile fabric as the sensing surface for chemical detection. Colorant porphyrins will have a spectral shift when bound with other chemicals. This property can be used to detect toxic chemicals in the environment. In this study, cyanide (NaCN) and organophosphate (diazinon) were chosen as target toxic chemicals. Two porphyrins, meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (CTPP4) and copper meso-tetra(4-carboxyphenyl)porphine (CuCTPP4), have spectral shifts in the presence of NaCN. The spectral shifts can be observed in aqueous solution and on porphyrin dyed mercerized cotton fabric. The difference spectra (porphyrin+cyanide)-porphyrin have peak and trough at specific wavelength positions to assure selective detection. For both CTPP4 and CuCTPP4, there is a linear relationship between the change in absorbance and NaCN concentration, which suggests the formation of a NaCN-porphyrin complex. When dyed onto cotton fabric, NaCN can be detected at 100ppb level by porphyrins. The cyanide detection study was presented at the 2004 Fiber Society Annual Conference. In solution and dyed on cotton fabric, the absorbance spectra of meso-tetraphenylporphine (TPP) shift to a shorter wavelength when interacting with diazinon. This spectral shift in the presence of diazinon is more obvious in difference spectra (TPP+diazinon)-TPP. The absorbance distance (A) between peak and trough in difference spectra has a linear relationship with diazinon concentration. Diazion can be detected at 0.5ppm level by TPP in solution, and at 11ppm level by TPP dyed cotton fabric. An ITAA presentation will detail the diazinon detection results. Texas has produced a three-layered needlepunched composite that has the necessary adsorption to offer required protection and next-to-skin feel characteristics. Results showed that the three-layered nonwoven composite has instantaneous adsorption of toluene and the time of saturation was more than 300 minutes. The nonwoven adsorbent composite fabric can be used as an inner layer for chemical protective suits and as a toxic chemical decontamination wipe. A continual US Patent Application has been filed in 2005 to have a broad based coverage for the nonwoven chemical protective fabric technology developed at Texas Tech University. The nonwoven composite technology has been licensed to Waco, TX based Hobbs Bonded Fibers to take it to the next level. This effort has to lead to the formation of an international consortium of three organizations to develop next generation protective suits. The consortium at present involves Texas Tech University, Hobbs Bonded Fibers, and Remploy Frontline, United Kingdom. Protection Studies Colorado has employed enzymatic treatment as a useful wet-processing tool to impart value-added properties to fabrics. In the current study, cotton knit fabric was treated with cellulase and the effect of structural changes on Percent Cover and Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) was examined. Results showed that enzymatic treatment increased the ultraviolet protective ability of the cotton knit fabric. Rate of agitation and duration of treatment were important parameters influencing the UPF value. The increase in UPF after enzymatic treatment is probably due to a decrease in porosity. Porosity is a measure of the degree of closed versus open space in a fabric and is reflected in the values of percent cover. It may also be that enzymatic treatment by degrading and removing the protruding microfibrils leads to a more compact knit structure thereby making the fabric more opaque to UV radiation. B. Human Factor Studies A collaborative product development study was undertaken by Oklahoma State University as a sub-contract with a private company as the prime contractor and funding from NRL, in May 2004. Development of limb body armor using soft anti-ballistic materials to provide NIJ Level II protection against small arms and shrapnel was the goal. The limb body armor had to be compatible with the standard Interceptor vest now issued to the US Army and Marine Corps. QuadGard® was the result. The units were designed and produced in limited quantities at OSU, then sent to medical personnel treating the troops and to various military installations for wear testing and feedback. They were then modified and more quantities produced and submitted for additional obstacle course testing at ARL facilities (Aberdeen Proving Ground) and subjected to warfare simulations. Results were positive. The project has received considerable print and TV media attention from local and national stations. An Armed Forces Journal article provides information on the project. Minnesota completed set-up and testing of Human Dimensioning Laboratory equipment including body scanner and motion capture system. The new system was employed in a scanning selected sample of female body types/sizes representing ready-to-wear sizes misses 6 through womens 3X. Body size to body mass index was correlated as first step in understanding differences in body shape and configuration from small size to large size. Size range was compared to a representative sample size model. New York has collected and analyzed performance data for protective apparel that provides protection from pesticides for agricultural workers. Questionnaires, interviews, and images capturing coverall fit and working positions have been collected for 40 pesticide users. All but one of the respondents reported using protective clothing for pesticide protection; 83 percent wear coveralls; 38 percent of respondents wear protective clothing at least two times a week. A total of 68 percent of respondents are pesticide applicators; others transport, mix, load pesticides or clean equipment. Respondents universally agree that protective clothing is important, but only 14 percent felt that they got a lot of protection from the garments currently worn. Results from content analysis of interviews reveal the major complaint regarding coveralls is that they are too hot, followed by dissatisfaction with the lack of size variation available and concerns that they rip too easily. A minority of respondents indicated tear frequency of once a month or more. Tears typically occur in the leg or thigh area due to catching on an object or a machine. A database of about 100 photographs is being categorized by body position, size of respondent and fit analyses to determine the most common fit problems and areas of stress for the coveralls. Results from this analysis will contribute to the design development of a new coverall. A study of the change in body measurements of the shoulder and arm in working positions was conducted using the body scanner. Data were collected for 25 subjects in four different arm and shoulder positions. Eighteen upper torso measurements were taken from the total of 100 body scans and comparisons were made among the body positions. Results showed significant changes in 41 percent of the measurement values among the dynamic postures. Shoulder length, interscye front and back widths, and biacromion length were the items prominently influenced by the dynamic postures. Neck circumferences and neck-to-waist measurements did not show many significant differences. Data from a study of 50 subjects in seated and standing positions is currently being analyzed. Work continues at New York on validation of scanner procedures and experiments with scans of clothed subjects and subjects in working positions. A process of taking multiple scans and merging them using both automated and manual scan manipulation to minimize areas of missing data has been developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); this process is being evaluated for usefulness in the scanning of protective coveralls. Ongoing projects are underway on the use of body scan data to improve or create effective sizing systems. An anthropometric database of the population, SizeUSA, has become available this year, and methods of creating sizing systems for specific demographic segments (such as manual workers) from the US population are being explored. Following methods developed by New York, California has initiated a similar study of pesticide protective clothing. Data collection is still in progress. Objective 2: To examine user acceptance and barriers to acceptance of PPE products and practices. California has completed a survey of healthcare workers and hospital purchasing agents perceptions of medical textiles, including fabrics with a new biocidal finish and the data are being analyzed. To assist other investigators with research on this topic, as requested last year, two annotated bibliographies have been prepared. One list is limited to articles that are directly related to medical textiles and the other includes references that, while not directly related, provide useful background information. New York conducted a study on wearing lined vs. unlined gloves. In the fall of 2004, USEPA implemented a new policy allowing pesticide applicators to wear disposable glove liners. This information and findings from the NY-IA study (published in 2005) were incorporated into educational materials for pesticide applicators. Topics included liner sources, fit, donning and doffing procedures, and disposal. New York continues to analyze the data from the PPE-Engineering Controls Survey conducted in NY, IA, and MI with the intention to submit an article for publication. A related review of pesticide labels is under way to connect the survey results with PPE statements. An educational tool that clarifies which protective garments can be omitted when specific engineering controls are used is being developed. Outreach on PPE continues for pesticide applicators, their families, and agriculture and safety educators through certification training, exhibits, publications, websites, and telephone responses. New items this year include: a PowerPoint presentation on glove liners; a poster on the PPE-Engineering Controls Survey; and an update of the pesticide applicator teaching kit with new respirators, vests for backpack sprayers, and glove liners. New York continues to maintain the NC-170 Regional Research website on a server in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. Website hits total 2577 with March receiving the most visitors and November the fewest. Browsers MSIE6.x and MSIE5.x account for 76 percent of the traffic. The primary search engines are Google (44 percent), MSN (32 percent), and Yahoo (14 percent). Oklahoma continued the cooling vest research via a HSARPA Phase I contract with a private company. The goal of the research was development of a smaller cooler unit to be interfaced with a cooling garment. Oklahoma State University conducted a focus group study with first responders to obtain their feedback on the cooler and the garment. User feedback was positive and some technical hurdles were overcome with the cooler. Objective 3: To develop performance specifications for protective clothing materials. Maryland has conducted a study to determine testing required to measure the protective performance of repellent fabrics under varied conditions. Twenty-one cotton, cotton/polyester and polyester fabrics with repellent finishes were used for the study. A wash-test sequence cycle was used to measure the fabric performance after repeated laundering, and a wash-iron-test sequence was used to measure performance after washing and ironing. In addition, tests were conducted to determine the effect of perspiration on penetration through the fabrics. Based on the findings, it is recommended that percent penetration for repellent fabrics be measured after 1 accelerated laundering as well as after 6 and 10 launderings. In addition, it is recommended that a qualitative test be conducted to determine the performance of the repellent fabrics that are wet due to perspiration. Maryland also conducted laboratory tests to screen fabrics for Safe Use Initiatives (SUI) in Europe. The data were shared with SUI group. Worker exposure studies will be conducted by the group in 2005 and 2006. Results of the study will be shared with UMES. Maryland corresponded with the manager for the Pesticide Handlers Exposure Task Group in the US regarding access to worker exposure data for studies conducted in the United States. The protocol used for the study measures only the amount of penetration through the workers clothing onto the inner dosimeter. Limited information is being collected on the clothing worn by the worker. The manager is looking into the possibilities of collecting additional information that would improve the fabric descriptions of the clothing worn by the workers. Minnesota also collaborated with UMES in delivery of the Minnesota Sun Smart program to educate citizens of the state of Minnesota about safety measures to prevent over-exposure to sun/UV rays. Texas has perfected a sliding friction method. The normalized composite factor is gaining acceptance as a useful factor to quantify the hand-related surface mechanical properties of textile materials. The need for a refined methodology and standard for the frictional properties of textiles was emphasized in the spring meeting of the RA-89 Committee on hand Evaluation of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.

Publications

Publications / Presentations by State California Publications In press Jianhua Wu and Ning Pan, Grab and Strip Tensile Strengths for Woven Fabrics: An Experimental Verification, Textile Research Journal In print 2005 D. Lukas, V. Soukupova, Ning Pan and D. V. Parikh, Computer Simulation of 3-D Liquid Transport in Fibrous Materials, SIMULATION: Transactions of SMS, 80, 547 - 557. 2004 Yuyu Sun and Gang Sun, Novel Refreshable N-Halamine Polymeric Biocides: N Chlorination of Aromatic Polyamides, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Vol. 43, 5015-5020. 2004 Zaisheng Cai and Gang Sun, Antimicrobial Finishing of Acrilan Fabrics with Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Journal of Applied Polymer Science. Vol. 94. 243-247. 2005 Gang Sun and S. Dave Worley, Chemistry of Durable and Regenerable Biocidal Textiles. Journal of Chemical Education, V82, No. 1 p60-64 2005 Minghua Ma and Gang Sun, Antimicrobial Cationic Dyes: Part 3: Simultaneous dyeing and antimicrobial finishing of acrylic fabrics, Dyes and Pigments, V66, No. 1, 33-41 2005 Lei Qian and Gang Sun, Durable and Regenerable Antimicrobial Textiles: Chlorine Transfer among Halamine Structures, Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research. V44, No. 4, p853-856 2005 Zaisheng Cai and Gang Sun, Antimicrobial Finishing of Acrilan Fabrics with Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Affected Properties and Structures submitted to Journal of Applied Polymer Science. V97, No. 3, 1227-1236 Colorado Manuscript Sarkar, A.K. (2004). An evaluation of UV protection imparted by cotton fabrics dyed with natural colorants. BMC Dermatology, 4:15, Paper doi:10.1186/1471-5945-4-15. Retrieved July 26, 2005, from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-5945/4/15. Presentations Sarkar, A.K. (2004). Influence of enzymatic treatment on ultraviolet properties of cotton fabrics [Abstract]. In: Conference Proceedings, 4th International Conference on Safety & Protective Fabrics, Industrial Fabrics Association International, 283. Sarkar, A.K.., & DiVerdi, J.A. (2004). A method for predicting the ultraviolet protection factor of fabrics by calculating percent cover using a digital stereo microscope [Abstract]. Proceedings from the Sixty-first Annual Conference of the International Textile and Apparel Association., International Textile and Apparel Association. Maryland Publication 2004 Shaw, Anugrah and Ruchika Abbi, "Comparison of Gravimetric and Gas Chromatographic Methods for Assessing Performance of Textile Materials against Liquid Pesticides", International Journal of Occupational Safety and Ergonomics, Vol.10, No.3, 255-261 (2004) Presentations Shaw, Anugrah and Ruchika Abbi, (2004), Online System for Selection of Clothing Materials for Pesticide Users, International Conference on High Performance Textiles and Apparel, Coimbatore, India Minnesota Publications Bye, E. & LaBat, K. (2005). An analysis of apparel industry fit session. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology Management, 4(3). 1-5. Schofield, N. & LaBat, K. (2005). Exploring the relationships of grading, sizing and anthropometric data. Clothing and Textile Research Journal, 23(1), 13-27. LaBat, K. DeLong, M., Gahring, S. (2005). A longitudinal study of sun-protective attitudes and behaviors, Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, 33(3), 240-254. Schofield, N. & LaBat, K. (2005) Defining and testing the assumptions used in current apparel grading practice. Clothing and Textile Research Journal. 23(3), 135-150 In Press Bye, E., LaBat, K., & DeLong, M. Analysis of body measurement methods for apparel. Clothing and Textile Research Journal, Schofield, N., Ashdown, S., Hethorn, J., LaBat, K, & Salusso, C. Testing quality of fit of two pattern shapes for women 55 and older. Clothing and Textile Research Journal New York In Print Full Length Articles Dunne, L. E., Ashdown, S. P., & Smyth, B. Expanding Garment Functionality through Embedded Electronic Technology, Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management 4(3). 2005. <http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm/volume4issue3/articles/Nam/Nam_full_138_05.pdf> Lee, Seungsin and Obendorf, S. Kay. Statistical Model of Pesticide Penetration through Woven Work Clothing Fabrics, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 49. 2005. Loker, S., Ashdown, S. P., & Schoenfelder, K. Size-specific Analysis of Body Scan Data to Improve Apparel Fit, Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, 4(3). 2005. < http://www.tx.ncsu.edu/jtatm/volume4issue3/articles/Loker/Loker_full_136_05.pdf> Obendorf, S. K., Lemley, A..T., Hedge, A., Kline, A. A., Tan, K. and Dokuchayeva, T. Distribution of Pesticide Residue within Homes in Central New York State, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 49. 2005. Stone, J. F., Coffman, C. W., Imerman, P. M., Song, K. and Shelley, M. Cotton Liners to Mediate Glove Comfort for Greenhouse Applicators, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 48: 1-9. 2005. In Press Full Length Articles Ashdown, S. P. and OConnell, E. K. Comparison of Test Protocols for Judging the Fit of Mature Womens Apparel, Clothing and Textiles Research Journal (in press). Ashdown, S. P., Slocum, A., and Lee Y. A. The Third Dimension for Apparel Designers: Visual Assessment of Hat Designs for Sun Protection Using 3-D Scan Images, Clothing and Textiles Research Journal (in press). Submitted Full Length Articles Lee, Seungsin and Obendorf, S. Kay. Barrier Effectiveness and Thermal Comfort of Protective Clothing Materials, Journal of the Textile Institute (submitted) Thesis completed Seungsin Lee. Protective Clothing Materials to Limit Liquid Penetration, PhD, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, May 2005. Abstracts Ashdown, S.P., Choi, M.S., Raymond, D., and Milke, E. Automated Side Seam Placement from 3-D Body Scan Data. International Textile and Apparel Association Conference Proceedings. November, 2004. Coffman, C. Stone, J. F., Slocum, A., Landers, A., Schwab, C., and Olsen, L. Pesticide Applicators Use and Understanding of Personal Protective Equipment and Engineering Controls, Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Forum Proceedings, Coralville, IA. October, 2004. Petrova, A. & Ashdown, S.P. Analysis of Body Scan Data for Best Fit of Pants, International Textile and Apparel Association Conference Proceedings. November, 2004. Stone, J. F., Coffman, C. W., Imerman, P., Song, K. and Shelley, M. Glove Liner Wear Study, International Textile and Apparel Association Conference Proceedings. November, 2004. Stone, J. F., Coffman, C. W., Imerman, P., Song, K. and Shelley, M. Glove Liner Wear Study, Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Forum Proceedings, Coralville, IA. October, 2004. Non-Refereed Publications Coffman, C. The Agricultural Health Study, Textiles & Apparel News 21 (3): 4. July, 2005. Coffman, C. EPA Approves Glove Liners, Textiles & Apparel News 21 (2): 4. April, 2005. Coffman, C. Browsing Websites: EPA, Textiles & Apparel News 20 (5): 4. November, 2004. Presentations Ashdown, S.P., Choi, M.S., Raymond, D., and Milke, E. Automated Side Seam Placement from 3-D Body Scan Data. International Textile and Apparel Association Conference, Portland, Oregon. November, 2004. Ashdown, S.P., Loker, S., Schoenfelder, K., & Petrova, A. Comparison of Sitting and Standing 3-D Body Measurements of the Lower Body. Symposium on Advanced Materials and Processes, Fiber Society Annual Meeting, Ithaca, NY. October, 2004. Ashdown, S.P., Loker, S., Lyman-Clarke, L., & Schoenfelder, K. Visual Fit Analysis from 3-D Scans (Poster Session), Fiber Society Annual Meeting, Ithaca, NY. October, 2004. Ashdown, S. P., Petrova, A., & Loker, S. A Comparison of Body Variation Among Women with Different BMI Scores, and Implications for Sizing of Apparel (Poster Session), American Association of Family and Consumer Science, Minneapolis, MN. June 26-27, 2005. Coffman, C. Stone, J. F., Slocum, A., Landers, A., Schwab, C., and Olsen, L. Pesticide Applicators Use and Understanding of Personal Protective Equipment and Engineering Controls (Poster Session), Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Forum, Coralville, IA. October, 2004. Lee, J.R. & Ashdown, S.P. A Comparison of Body Surface Change to Evaluate Traditional and 3-D Body Scan Anthropometric Measures for Dynamic Postures (Poster Session), Fiber Society Annual Meeting, Ithaca, NY. October, 2004. Petrova, A. & Ashdown, S.P. Analysis of Body Scan Data for Best Fit of Pants, International Textile and Apparel Association Conference, Portland, Oregon. November, 2004. Stone, J. F., Coffman, C. W., Imerman, P., Song, K. and Shelley, M. Glove Liner Wear Study, International Textile and Apparel Association Conference, Portland, OR. November, 2004. Stone, J. F., Coffman, C. W., Imerman, P., Song, K. and Shelley, M. Glove Liner Wear Study, Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Forum, Coralville, IA. October, 2004. Stone, J. F., Coffman, C. W., Imerman, P., Song, K. and Shelley, M. Glove Liner Wear Study (Poster Session), Fiber Society Annual Meeting, Ithaca, NY. October, 2004. Non-refereed Presentations Coffman, C. PPE Statements on Pesticide Labels, Advanced Horticulture School, Rochester, NY, February, 2005. Coffman, C. PPE When Handling Pesticides, Pesticide Applicator Certification Orientation, Ithaca, NY. January, 2005. Internet Occupational Safety and Protective Clothing, http://txnc170.human.cornell.edu/ Personal Pesticide Protection, http://www.humec.cornell.edu/units/txa/extension/pest/ Body Scanning for Apparel, http://www.explore.cornell.edu/bodyscanner Sizing and Fit of Apparel, http://www.human.cornell.edu/txa/faculty/SizingSystems/index_flash.html Oklahoma Refereed Presentations Cao, H., Harmon, H. J., Nam, J., Branson, D. H. (2004, October) Spectroscopic detection of cyanide in water using porphyrin dyed cotton fabrics. Fiber Society Annual Conference, Ithaca, NY. Cao, H., Harmon, H. J., Branson, D. H. (2005, November) Detection of organophosphate by porphyrin solution and porphyrin-dyed cotton fabric. ITAA Annual Conference, Alexandria, VA. Rupert, N.L., Matic, P., Hubler, G.,K. Frost, J., Branson, D., R.S., Blethen, W.C., Sprague, J.S., Simmons, K., Farr, C., and Peksoz, S. (2005). 22nd International Symposium of Ballistics, Vancouver, British Columbia. Refereed Publications Branson, D.H., Farr, C.A., Peksoz, S., Nam, J., and Cao, H., (2005). Development of a prototype personal cooling system for the first responders: User Feedback. Journal of ASTM International, 2(2), 1-11. Cao, H. Branson, D.H., Nam, J., Peksoz, S. and Farr, C.A. (2005). Development of a cooling capability test method for liquid-cooled textile systems. Journal of ASTM International, 2(1), 1-10. Nam, J., Branson, D.H., Ashdown, S., Cao, H., Jin, B., Peksoz, S., and Farr, C. (2005). Fit analysis of liquid cooled vest prototypes using 3D body scanning technology. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology Managament, 4(3). Starr, C., Branson, D.H., Shehab, R., Farr, C., Ownbey, S., and Swinney, J. (2005). Biomechanical analysis of a prototype sports bra. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Managament, 4(3). Matic, Peter, and Habler, G. (2005). Extreme Armor. Armed Forces Journal. 2, 49-50. Theses/Dissertations Semra Peksoz, A Physiological Study of the Effectiveness of Two Prototype Portable Cooling Vests, Unpublished Ph.D. Dissertation, Oklahoma State University, July, 2005. Texas Accomplishments (Patents/Peer-reviewed Papers Only) Patents S. S. Ramkumar, Development of Leather Based Ballistic Protection Composites Shield, US Patent # 6,862,971 (date of issue: March 8, 2005). S. S. Ramkumar, Method of Producing Chemical Protective Composite Substrate, (Patent Pending). Peer-Reviewed Articles Ramkumar, S.S., Rajanala, R., Parameswaram, S., Sarkar, A.K. and Sawhney, A.P.S., Friction Characterization of polymeric materials-A review, AATCC Review, 2005 5(2), 17-20 Thandavmoorthy Subbiah, Bhat, G. S., Tock, R. W., Parameswaran, S. and Ramkumar, S. S. (2005), Electrospinning of Nanofiber, Journal of Appl. Polym. Sci., Vol. 96(2), 557-569. Shastri, L., Ramkumar, S. S., Sarkar, A., Shelly, D. C., and Tock, R. W., Frictional Studies of a Novel Antiballistic Chest Shield, AATCC Review, 5 (4): 25-29 APR 2005. S. S. Ramkumar, R. Mahmud, L. Shastri and S. Chinnasami, Hand Evaluation of Nonwoven Fabrics Using Friction Based Method, AATCC Review (accepted/in-print). Theses Completed Uday B. Godsey, Experimental Study of the Frictional Characteristics of Cotton Fabrics, Texas Tech University, December 2004.

Impact Statements

The development work on biocidal properties of fabrics for first responder uniforms has attracted interests from textile manufactures for emergency use textiles. The grab method is extensively used by industry for its simplicity while the strip method is preferred by the research community for greater accuracy and easier data interpretation. There has been a longstanding desire to establish the relationship between the test results using two different specimens of the same fabric. This has evol
Enzymatic treatment has been shown to increase the UV protective abilities of a knit fabric. This is a hitherto unknown and unintended but welcome benefit of bio-finishing cotton fabrics. The Minnesota Sun Smart Program has educated over 50,000 people in all ages in the state and has been continuously revised with new information.
The Human Dimension Laboratory motion capture system is able to evaluate ease of movement in PPE, which can help to understand the basics of garment fit and sizing through use of new technologies for PPE.
Development of protocols, data collection, and analysis methods for use with the 3-D body scanner will contribute to the growing number of research projects related to apparel using this tool. Collaborative projects with NASA and with the US army facility at Natick are being explored. The development of new microdenier fiber membranes that give improved protection while maintaining high air and moisture vapor transport for higher thermal comfort in hot, humid environments could lead to new prod
The chemical detection smart textile study implies that textile can serve as a platform for chemical detection sensors. Using this smart textile in protective clothing will provide first responders with an early alert of and better protection against toxic chemicals in the environment. Simulations of multiple warfare scenarios estimated approximately a 37% reduction in injuries and a 10% reduction in deaths with the use of QuadGard®. At the present time, the US Marine Corps has placed an initia

Date of Annual Report: 09/30/2006

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/08/2006 - 08/09/2006
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2005 - 09/01/2006

Participants

*Dr. Margaret Rucker, University of California, Davis, CA
Dr. Gang Sun, University of California, Davis
*Dr. Anugrah Shaw, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Dr. Kay Obendorf, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Ms. Charlotte Coffman, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
*Dr. Susan Ashdown, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Dr. Donna Branson, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
*Dr. Huantian Cao, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
*Dr. Ajoy K. Sarkar, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
*Dr. Karen LaBat, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
*Dr. Lynn Boorady, Ph.D. University of Missouri-Columbia
Dr. Marilyn Delong, Administrative Advisor, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
*indicates voting member

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes of Meeting, NC 170 Multi-State Project
Stillwater, Oklahoma, August 7-9, 2006

NC 170: Mediating Exposure to Environmental Hazards Through Textile Systems
Listserv Address: NC170-LISTS@LISTS.UMN.EDU
NC-170 Web Page: http://txnc170.human.cornell.edu/
Regional Research Manual: http://www.wisc.edu/ncra/manual.html

Administrative Adviser: Chair: Vice Chair: Secretary
Dr. Marilyn DeLong
Design, Housing and Apparel
240 McNeal Hall
1985 Buford Avenue
University of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN 55108-6136
mdelong@che.umn.edu
Phone: 612-625-1219
Fax: 612-624-2750 Dr. Gang Sun
Textiles & Clothing
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
gysun@ucdavis.edu
Phone: 530-752-0840
Fax: 530-752-7584 Dr. Susan Ashdown
Textiles & Apparel
Cornell University
327 MVR Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
spa4@cornell.edu
Phone: 607-255-1929
Fax: 607-255-1093 Dr. Margaret Rucker
Textiles & Clothing
University of California
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616
mhrucker@ucdavis.edu
Phone: 530-752-2018
Fax: 530-752-7584

Members in Attendance: Susan Ashdown (New York), Lynn Boorady (Missouri), Donna Branson (Oklahoma), Huantian Cao (Oklahoma), Charlotte Coffman (New York), Marilyn DeLong (Minnesota, Administrative Advisor), Kay Obendorf (New York), Margaret Rucker (California), and Anugrah Shaw (Maryland).

1. Adopted agenda:

August 7, 2006 (Monday)

9:00am New project proposal

August 8, 2006 (Tuesday) Breakfast offered by the hotel

9:00-10:15 Call to order and introductions
Approval of agenda
Comments from USDA-CSREES Representative
Comments from Dr. DeLong, Administrative Advisor
Election of Officers
Date and Place for 2007 Annual Meeting

10:15-10:30 Break

10:30-12:00 Funding discussed, new directions and new proposal, ideas for collaborations

12:00-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:20 State Progress Reports
California
Colorado
Maryland
Minnesota

2:20-2:40 Break

2:40-3:40 State Progress Reports (continued)
New York
Oklahoma
Texas

4:00-5:30 Tour Fire School of OSU

6:30 Dinner

August 9, 2006 (Wednesday)

9:00-10:30 Discussions about new proposal

10:30-12:00 Future planning

12:00 Meeting adjourn

2. Dr. Ashdown called the meeting to order at 9:00 and asked attendees to introduce themselves. In addition to members listed above, we were joined by two guests from Oklahoma State University Dr. Semra Peksoz and Ms. Pimpawan Kumphai.

3. Dr. DeLong reviewed important deadlines for the group. These were: Sep 15 submit Statement of Issues and Justification of the proposal in NIMSS. Oct 15 - call for participation in new proposals. Members are reminded to get directors approval for their participation and have this information entered into NIMSS. Nov 15 - impact statements are due. Dec 1 PROPOSAL DEADLINE. Dr. DeLong also encouraged review of new proposal criteria. Some of these criteria are: Is your project new or more of the same? Has there been a CRIS search? Does the proposal have a wide variety of expertise? Has the committee met deadlines? Is there good attendance at yearly meetings? Three types of actions may be taken with respect to proposals approval, defer approval for modifications, or termination. Dr. DeLong also shared information about a new initiative to get more funding for competitive proposals. Create 21 is the name of this initiative. Along with trying to make funding more competitive, directors are also trying to increase overall funding.

4. Concern was expressed about having a USDA advisor at meetings of NC170. Joseph Wysocki has been assigned as our advisor. It was suggested that the chair contact him to ask for suggestions about interacting with the group. Perhaps meeting with the group by phone would be helpful.

5. Nominations for chair and secretary occurred next. Karen LaBat was nominated for chair, pending discussion with her. Lynn Boorady was nominated and unanimously approved as the groups new secretary. The group approved University of Minnesota as the location for next years meeting. Dates for next years meeting were discussed. Aug 6 and Aug 7 was the first choice and Aug 2 and 3 was the second choice and the third choice was Aug 9 and 10.

6. The original proposal was reviewed to establish how the work would be completed in the final year of the project. Outstanding issues include communication of data between stations and the completion of the design/testing of the coverall. A review of the use of human factors testing in the lab in the areas of sun coverage provided by the sun hats, thermal effectiveness of a cooling vest, and fit of a cooling vest and their contribution of useful data collected under controlled conditions was conducted. It was decided to substitute human factors testing of the fit and function of the coverall for the originally proposed field testing. The pesticide deposition testing in the original proposal will not be done as Iowa is no longer part of the project

7. Ashdown led a discussion of the new proposal. The decision was to stay with the current working title for the moment. The group was also satisfied with the current objectives. Branson and Shaw described and illustrated a flow chart for the research that involved three cycles. This led to three objectives:
1. Develop and evaluate new textiles and materials systems and processes to protect human health from multiple hazards.
a. product development (membranes, NY; halamine, CA)
b. performance testing and evaluation (NY, CA)
c. technology transfer (CA)
2. Design and evaluate garment systems and processes to protect human health and enhance performance.
a. design (OK)
b. performance testing and evaluation
1) human factors evaluation (NY,OK,MN,MO,CA [fire fighter and pesticide applicator])
c. technology transfer (OK)
3. Establish a communication and education system for personal protective technology.
a. integrate research findings (databases MD,OK,CA)
b. extend to industry and government (MD,OK)
c. address user needs
1. user input (MD,OK,MN,NY)
2. training and education (NY [pesticides and first responders], MD [pesticides])

8. The next topic to be covered was funding and collaborations. Possibilities for funding that were mentioned included NIOSH, EPA, DOD, and Department of Homeland Security.

9. State Progress Reports see Appendix

10. New proposal assignments were made. Drs. Cao, Shaw and Ashdown will be the writing team. They will handle related current and past work on the proposal topic. Each committee member will write up their own methods. Drs. Coffman, Shaw, and Sun will work on the technology transfer and outreach plan.

11. Dr. Obendorf suggested we consider revising the organization and governance of our group by adding a vice chair. Discussion followed with the agreement to poll the members following the meeting.

11. The meeting was adjourned at noon on August 9.

Appendix
Abbreviated State Reports of NC-170 Committee

Colorado research was directed towards examining the UV properties of nonwovens. Results showed that fiber content, thickness of the nonwoven substrate and substrate weight has the greatest influence on UVR transmission. On-going studies are investigating the relationship of cover factor to UPF for nonwovens.

Impact:

The results of this study show that fiber composition, thickness and weight are important parameters determining the UPF values of uncolored nonwoven substrates. Nonwoven substrates have previously not been studied for their protective abilities against ultraviolet radiation.

Donna Branson, Oklahoma State University, Department of Design, Housing and Merchandising, 431 HES, Stillwater, OK, email: donna.branson@okstate.edu. Tel: 405-744-5050, Fax: 405-744-6910.
Huantian Cao, Oklahoma State University, Department of Design, Housing and Merchandising, 431 HES, Stillwater, OK, email: huantian.cao@okstate.edu. Tel: 405-744-3015, Fax: 405-744-6910.

Limb Body Armor Studies
The limb body armor technology has been transferred to an Oklahoma sewn products manufacturer who produced about 5,300 units of Phase IV arm and leg body armor, QuadGard®, for the US Marine Corps. The development of Phase V prototype, a modular arm and leg body armor unit, was initiated with an order of 900 units being produced for the US Marine Corps.

Next Generation Body Armor Study
With funding from FSTechnology, OSU developed a Next Generation Load Carrying Ballistic Vest for the US Army. The OSU/FST torso body armor was selected as one of six finalist designs for wearability testing to be conducted at Fort Benning in mid-August, 2006.

Chemical Detection Smart Textile Study
A smart textile prototype, in which textile is used as the platform for portable USB2000 spectrophotometer, battery, and optical fiber cable, has been developed. This smart textile prototype has cyanide (NaCN) detection capability.

Fire Turnout Gear Study
With funding from a private company, OSU designed fire turnout coat and pants and tested for production capability.

The work on a cooperative protective coverall project has continued with Missouri joining the group this past year. Data have been collected by California and New York and we have participated in two virtual design sessions with collaborators from New York, Minnesota, and California. These sessions included discussion on the poor fit observed in the photographs compiled by New York, the results from the user study and preliminary design goals. The team will be working to design protective apparel to improve moisture and heat transfer, reduce tearing, and improve fit.

Margaret Rucker, University of California, Davis, Division of Textiles and Clothing, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, email: mhrucker@ucdavis.edu. Tel: 530-752-2018, Fax: 530-752-7584.
Ning Pan, University of California, Davis, Division of Textiles and Clothing, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, email: npan@ucdavis.edu. Tel: 530-752-6232, Fax: 530-752-7584.
Gang Sun, University of California, Davis, Division of Textiles and Clothing, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA, email: gysun@ucdavis.edu. Tel: 530-752-0840.

Work has continued on antibacterial processes for clothing and other textile products. Another research project has involved investigation of the factors affecting blistering of the human foot.

A survey of hospital purchasing agents and health care workers regarding attitudes toward medical textiles indicated that different approaches are needed for the two groups to increase adoption of improved products. A study of effects of silk screened emblems on fire fighter PPE under two moisture conditions indicated that moisture tended to increase thermal hazards whereas emblems tended to decrease the hazards.

An optimized grading system was developed as an alternative to current industry apparel grading systems. The system is based on a range of real body shapes and sizes. Body shapes and sizes were analyzed using body scans and initial fit quality of graded test garments were tested using the body scanner. A prototype hood for use in body temperature regulation was developed in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Extreme Environment Lab. The Minnesota Sun Smart program, instituted in 1994, was up-dated and presented to audiences throughout the state.

Maryland conducted studies to compare the percent penetration of pesticides through fabrics that had been laundered using accelerated laundering method and home laundering. Maryland also conducted studies to determine percent penetration through fabric with and without seams. Laboratory data for 130 fabrics and field exposure data provided by CropLife International were analyzed and used for the development of performance specification. New work item was initiated for the development of ASTM performance specification. Other activities included submission of the information required by ISO to initiate a request for new work item for performance specification and performance of laboratory tests to screen fabrics for worker exposure studies.

Analysis of 62 questionnaires and interviews of agricultural workers using protective clothing for pesticide use, and about 250 photographs of these workers in active working positions have been completed. Preliminary protocols for reliable 3D body scans for fit analysis of subjects in active positions were developed from these data. A password protected website was established and two videoconferences were organized to facilitate multi-state design work on more effective protective designs for agricultural workers. A study of reliable visual analysis of fit from body scans was completed that determined that two fit judges are sufficient for reliable analysis. Final analysis of body measurement data from standing and seated subjects shows that measurements increase and decrease in different ways depending on body size.

A novel microporous membrane that responds to moisture/liquid content for use in protective clothing was developed by grafting polyethylene glycol on microporous polyurethane membrane. These membranes with reduced pore size maintain water vapor transport thus providing increased protection for clothing material while maintaining comfort properties for workers; they are appropriate for use in medical care worker protective clothing.

Data analysis was completed on the PPE-Engineering Controls survey conducted in NY, IA, and MI and submitted for publication. Related educational materials are being tested.

Recommendations were developed and proposed related to design of protective clothing for the ISO standard under development Protective clothing - Performance requirements for work and protective clothing for horticultural and agricultural pesticide workers.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND IMPACTS: Major accomplishments during the past funding year that ended September 30, 2006 are summarized by objectives and sub-objectives below. Objective 1: To improve protection and human factor performance of PPE through product development. PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT STUDIES California continued research on antibacterial and antimicrobial processes for clothing and other textile products. Researchers are working on self-decontaminating textiles using halamine textiles, in collaboration with the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory of NIOSH with GenTex is using their biocidal Nomex® fabrics in a military research project. Another California project has involved investigation of human foot blistering during intensive walking or running. In research on blistering, one clear obstacle is the difficulty of conducting experiments on humans or animals. Thus, computer modeling becomes the preferred research tool. In the California work, a coupling finite element model with a blister-characterized structure is used to investigate the effects of deformation and stress on an existing blister. This was accomplished by changing the friction coefficient and elastic modulus of the material in contact with the blister. California continued work on a cooperative protective coverall project with Dr. Susan Ashdown (New York). They collected verbal and visual data from 23 pesticide applicators in California and have participated in two virtual design sessions with collaborators from New York, Minnesota, and Missouri. California researchers have also continued work with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) on the effects of silk screened emblems on thermal protection of protective clothing systems under two moisture conditions. The data supported previous work showing a decline in thermal protective properties of fire fighter clothing under conditions of high heat flux and a moist inner layer of clothing. The data on presence or absence of a silk screened emblem indicated that under almost all of the conditions considered in this study, the addition of an emblem served to increase protection rather than reduce it. Colorado reports that the beneficial effect of textiles as a barrier to UV radiation has been well documented in literature. Factors affecting UVR transmission of textiles include the chemical nature of the fiber, porosity or cover factor, thickness, weight, and wet processing treatments such as dyes and finishes applied to the textile. However, the review of literature reveals no report on the UV properties of nonwovens. Therefore the objective of this Colorado study was to determine the Ultraviolet Protective Factor (UPF) of six selected nonwovens. The UPF values obtained were analyzed vis-à-vis the fiber content, thickness and weight of the nonwovens. Data obtained show that fiber content has a significant influence on the UPF value and hence the protective ability of a nonwoven substrate. Nonwoven substrates with bleached cotton fibers afford very little UVR protection. Likewise, nonwovens with white undyed rayon fibers offer poor protection. However, bleached cotton fibers blended with combernoil waste increases the category of protection to Good. Nonwoven from wool fiber was found to have a high UPF value and can be classified in the Excellent UV Protection category. Polyester nonwovens fell in the Good UV Protection category. The best UV protection ability was exhibited by a composite of polyester, rayon and activated carbon suggesting that activated carbon is a very potent absorber of UV radiation. Substrate weight and thickness have an influence on UVR transmission. A positive correlation was observed between the weight and thickness of the nonwovens and UPF values. Heavier and thicker nonwovens permit less UVR to be transmitted presumably because smaller spaces are available for the radiation to pass through. Minnesota researchers in the Human Dimensioning Lab continued a previous study to improve apparel grading practices used in industry to size apparel. Previous research indicated that grading practice is not based on real human dimensions. This study uses dimensions of real humans derived from body scans that represent a statistically calculated range of body sizes. The fit of garments based on a new grading logarithm are being tested. Minnesota is working with researchers in the University of Minnesota Laboratory for Health and Human Performance in Extreme Environments to develop thermal regulation garments for space flight. Close body contact (excellent fit) of cooling/warming garments is essential to make best use of conduction to maintain safe body temperature. Physiologists in the Extreme Environments Lab determined body surfaces that provide most efficient heat conduction. Researchers in the Human Dimensioning Lab developed garment structures that maintain maximum position of heating/cooling mechanisms on these body surfaces. A temperature regulating glove liner for a space glove is currently in review by NASA. Shape and sizing of a temperature-regulating hood for space flight is currently in progress and being tested in the Extreme Environments Lab. New York developed a novel microporous membrane that responds to moisture/liquid content for use in protective clothing, the surface of microporous polyurethane membrane was modified by graft polymerization with different molecular weights of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). Surface grafting was confirmed, and appropriate grafting time and temperature were determined. The hydrophilicity of microporous polyurethane membranes was improved after surface modification with PEG. Both the surface pore sizes of the PU membranes and the constricted part of through pore sizes of the bulk PU membranes were reduced, as revealed by the pore size distribution using image analysis and capillary flow porometer, respectively. The reduced pore sizes are expected to enhance the barrier properties by reducing the possibility of harmful particles and liquid borne pathogen penetration. Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) measurements indicated that the pores of the modified PU membranes were responsive to the moisture content. Scheme 1. (A) Functionalization of PU membrane surface with isocyanate groups; (B) Grafting with PEG chains. (a) before modification (b) after modification Fig. 1. Image analysis of pore size distribution of the PU membrane before and after surface modification with PEG1500. Table 1 Physical Properties of PU membranes related to WVTR Mw of PEG Thickness (¼m) Response time (min) WVTR (g/m2/24 h) 600 50.0 ± 0.1 0~60 630.5 ± 8.1 1500 52.5 ± 0.1 60~120 654.7 ± 3.3 4600 52.5 ± 0.1 120~180 693.6 ± 4.5 Human Factors Studies Data collection from a study of users of protective apparel for protection from pesticides was completed by California and New York researchers. Sixty-two agricultural workers, 40 from NY and 22 from CA have been interviewed, photographed in working positions, and have completed questionnaires on coverall use. More than 250 photographs were taken to document working positions and fit issues with the coveralls. Analyses of these data have been completed and summarized for use in setting design parameters for the development of clothing that will provide improved protection and comfort. A password protected website with the photographs of the subjects and the data analyses from the questionnaires and interviews has been has been created to make this data readily available to the entire design team from NY, CA, MN, and MO. Content analysis results from the photographs categorize the primary working positions of interest for design of the coveralls as: bending at the waist, crouching on one knee, crouching on two knees, reaching forward, reaching up, stepping up (low), stepping up (high) and donning the coverall. Problems with the fit of the coveralls observed include poor fit at the neck, arms and/or legs too short, tightness in the hip, stress folds at the crotch and thigh, stress folds across the shoulders and underarms, and excess fabric in the thigh area. A preliminary working protocol has been developed for capturing reliable 3D body scans for fit analysis of subjects in working positions based on the photographs. Nine active body positions plus a standing position have been identified to capture the range of positions used in pesticide application. A method of reliably setting these positions for a variety of subjects at different research facilities has been developed based on a set of positioning marks based on the shoulder width of each subject, and several standard sized boxes. Results of the human factors studies are being incorporated into design concepts being developed by a collaborative research/design team from New York, California, and Minnesota, with the addition to the team this year of a researcher from Missouri. The team is focusing on design of a disposable protective coverall to improve moisture and heat transfer, reduce tearing, and improve fit. The team has participated in two videoconference design sessions to begin the design process for the protective clothing. In these sessions the results from the user study and the preliminary design goals were discussed. New York conducted a study of the reliability of 3D body scans for fit analysis. Statistical analysis of fit assessments of 153 scans by five judges showed that two judges are sufficient for reliable fit ratings if visual fit parameters are established and clearly defined in advance. To ensure reliability and validity it is necessary that the instrument scale be well designed so that it is used consistently by all judges. Visual analysis of fit was shown to be effective for most body areas; however, complex areas of misfit that are difficult to rate visually, such as the crotch, may require an additional assessment methodology. New York completed an analysis of data from a study of the variation in body measurements between standing and seated postures. Analysis of lower body measurement changes show that differences in measurements increase in circumferences and breadths, while crotch lengths decrease when the subject sits. The variation in measurement changes were investigated for different sizes of subjects as categorized by BMI (body mass index). For the different variables a tendency was observed of measurements to increase or decrease (crotch length) as the BMI values increase, with significant differences occurring at the hip circumference, waist breadth and thigh breadth. Oklahoma continued development of Limb Body Armor. Funding for this project was from the Naval Research Laboratory via a sub-contract with a private company, FSTechnology, LLC. The focus of this years work was two-fold: first, transfer of the limb body armor technology to an Oklahoma sewn products manufacturer who produced about 5,300 units of the Phase IV arm and leg body armor, QuadGard®. About 4,900 of the units are in Iraq being used by the US Marine Corps. Two ITAA presentations will detail this effort that included refining the design, patenting the design, developing multiple sizes, producing shop directions and bill of materials, assisting the private company to locate textile vendors to supply all component parts, finding a manufacturer willing to produce the units, training the production personnel, completing a manufacturing quality assurance plan, and being available to the manufacturer for assistance in the production phase. Second, Oklahoma initiated development of the Phase V prototype, a modular arm and leg body armor work. The concept entailed producing a modular limb body armor that could be customized by the individual soldier, or by a given commander, based on the mission and environmental issues. Prototypes were fabricated, tested at military facilities, and the design was refined. An ITAA juried design exhibition will feature this version. The technology was similarly transferred to the same Oklahoma sewn products manufacturer for production using the process outlined above. An order for 900 units is currently being produced for the US Marine Corps. The US Army has ordered 6 units for testing at Fort Benning in mid-August, 2006. Oklahoma secured private funding from FSTechnology for the Next Generation Body Armor Project, the goal being to develop a Next Generation Load Carrying Ballistic Vest for the US Army. Fifteen criteria were given by the US Army that the torso armor was to possess. The OSU/FST torso armor was selected as one of six finalist designs for wearability testing to be conducted at Fort Benning in mid-August, 2006. A train the trainer session was held in Washington DC to teach army personnel, donning, using, doffing, and quick release features of the armor system. The same Oklahoma sewn products manufacturer is producing the 25 units for testing, and the same technology transfer process was used as described above. A provisional patent has been filed. Oklahoma received funding for the Chemical Detection Smart Textile Study from the National Science Foundation and U.S. Intelligence Community through Approaches to Combat Terrorism (ACT) program. This is an exploratory research to use textile fabric as the sensing surface for chemical detection. Colorant porphyrins will have spectral shift when bound with other chemicals. This property can be used to detect toxic chemicals in environment. In this study, we choose cyanide (NaCN) and organophosphate (diazinon) as target toxic chemicals. In the 2005 annual report, Oklahoma reported the detection of NaCN and diazinon by porphyrins in solution and porphyrin dyed cotton fabrics. The spectral shifts were measured using a desktop spectrophotometer Cary 300 with an integrated sphere. In chemical detection smart textile prototype development, we used a portable spectrophotometer to replace the desktop Cary 300. The detection components include a LED light source powered by a 9-voltage battery, a portable USB2000 spectrophotometer from Ocean Optics as spectral measurement device, and optical fiber cable to transmit light. To provide better spectral measurement and chemical detection, porphyrin dyed cotton fabric has to be flat and fixed in position, and LED light source, porphyrin dyed fabric and the detection head of optical fiber cable have to be aligned. A device is made to hold the fabric, and assure the alignment. Textile is used as the platform for USB2000 spectrophotometer, battery, optical fiber cable, and a smart textile prototype has been developed. This smart textile prototype was tested for NaCN and diazinon detection. We planned to use a handheld computer PDA to collect and analyze data. However, Ocean Optics discontinued supporting the interface between USB2000 and PDA. Therefore, in this study, we have to use a desktop computer for data collection and analysis. For NaCN detection, after 600ppb NaCN was added to the smart textile prototype, a spectral shift was observed. Our smart textile prototype has NaCN detection capability. For diazinon detection test, no spectral shift was observed after adding diazinon. Our smart textile prototype did not detect diazinon. In Cary 300 spectrophotometer testing, the detection limit of diazinon is very high (11ppm) compared with that of NaCN (100ppb). The sensitivity of the USB2000 spectrophotometer is not as good as the Cary 300 spectrophotometer. Without the integrated sphere, the sensitivity of USB2000 is even worse. These are likely the reasons to explain why our smart textile prototype could not detect diazinon. The diazinon detection study using Cary 300 spectrophotometer was presented in 2005 International Textile and Apparel Association Conference. One manuscript was accepted for publication by Dyes and Pigments. Objective 2: To examine user acceptance and barriers to acceptance of PPE products and practices. California completed analyses of data from a survey of healthcare workers and hospital purchasing agents. The analysis of rankings of selected medical textile properties provided by the two groups of respondents indicated that purchasing agents place more emphasis on external issues such as compliance with regulations and price, whereas healthcare workers emphasize the personal aspects of medical textiles such as barrier protection and antimicrobial properties. Furthermore, attitudes toward switching from one product to another and subjective norms were significant predictors of adoption of an improved medical textile product in the purchasing agent group but not in the healthcare worker group. These data suggest that different appeals are necessary for purchasing agents versus healthcare workers to enhance adoption of improved medical PPE. New York participated in a study of pesticide handlers understanding of how PPE requirements change with adoption of engineering devices for application. Findings from the PPE-Engineering Controls Survey conducted in New York, Iowa, and Michigan showed that a high percentage of respondents wear the required PPE. The most commonly worn garments were chemical-resistant gloves (79.9%), work clothes (62.8%), safety glasses, (48.9%), and hats (47.6%). Eight out of 16 engineering controls were used by more than half of the respondents. The most common devices were enclosed tractor cabs (72.2%), low-drift nozzles (70.6%), and handwash water supply (64.3%). Adoption of these devices was influenced by size of operation, application equipment, and type of crops. Relationships between the use of engineering controls and PPE were examined. The majority of the respondents (87.3%) reported that they do not wear less PPE because they have engineering controls and a significant number reported that they are even more likely to wear chemical-resistant gloves when using engineering controls. Only 12.7% reported using less PPE while using engineering controls. The PPE items most affected by the use of engineering controls were half-face respirators and safety glasses. State specific data provide additional guidance in the development of appropriate training materials. NY has drafted educational materials relating pesticide label statements with the use of engineering controls and the wearing of PPE. These materials are being tested with educators and pesticide applicators. Objective 3: to develop performance specifications for protective clothing materials. Maryland conducted studies to compare the percent penetration of pesticides through fabrics that had been laundered using accelerated laundering method and home laundering. The home laundering was done by NanoTex and the accelerated laundering at UMES. Results of the study were used to specify the number of launderings required as part of fabric preparation for the performance specifications. Maryland also conducted studies to determine percent penetration through fabric with and without seams. Seams of all garments in our collection were used for the study. Results of the study were used for the development of performance specifications. At Maryland Laboratory data for 130 fabrics and field exposure data provided by CropLife International was analyzed and used for the development of performance specification. Maryland initiated a new work item after the ASTM Committee meeting in Feb. 2006 for the development of ASTM performance specification. A draft was prepared and permission obtained from ASTM to submit the draft to ISO concurrently for balloting. The ASTM draft was circulated to NC 170 members as well as the ASTM task group members. The final draft entitled Protective clothing Performance requirements for protective clothing for horticultural and agricultural pesticide applicators will be submitted to ASTM for sub-committee ballot in Fall 2006. Maryland also submitted the information required by ISO to initiate a request for new work item for performance specification. The member countries approved the new work item. The ISO draft was circulated to NC 170 members as well as individuals in industry, academia, and governmental agencies in several countries. The final draft entitled Protective clothing Performance requirements for protective clothing for horticultural and agricultural pesticide applicators will be submitted to ISO for balloting in Fall 2006. In addition, Maryland conducted laboratory tests to screen fabrics for worker exposure studies. New York developed and proposed recommendations related to design and size selection of protective clothing for the ISO and ASTM performance standards, "Protective clothing - Performance requirements for work and protective clothing for horticultural and agricultural pesticide workers" described above. Outreach Minnesota continued collaboration with UMES in delivery of the Minnesota Sun Smart program to educate citizens of Minnesota about safety measures to prevent over-exposure to sun/UV rays. Audiences include 4-H children and teens, farmers, highway workers, golf course workers, and landscape workers. New York continued outreach on PPE for pesticide applicators, their families, and agriculture and safety educators through certification training, exhibits, publications, websites, and telephone responses. New York continues to maintain the NC-170 Regional Research website on a server in the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University. Website hits total 3193 with October receiving the most visitors and January the fewest. Browsers MSIE6.x and MSIE5.x account for 76 percent of the traffic. The primary search engines are Google (42 percent), MSN (38 percent), and Yahoo (14 percent). IMPACTS The work on biocidal Nomex® conducted by California will provide personnel facing multiple hazards with protective clothing that maximizes protection while maintaining satisfactory levels of comfort and durability. California reports that foot blisters, as a common injury associated with intensive movements including those involved in sports and military operations, can adversely affect or even halt the performance of affected personnel. Therefore, a better understanding of factors related to this type of injury can benefit people in a variety of occupations as well as those who exercise outside the work environment. The results of the California thermal protective clothing study reinforce the need to advise fire fighters of the increased hazards associated with wet garment systems. The results also suggest that silk screened emblems may actually provide additional protection under certain conditions. The medical textiles study provides information on how to increase adoption of improved PPE at the purchasing agent level as well as the healthcare worker level. The results of the Colorado study show that fiber composition, thickness and weight are important parameters determining the UPF values of uncolored nonwoven substrates. Nonwoven substrates have previously not been studied for their protective abilities against ultraviolet radiation. Marylands laboratory studies as well field study data provided by CropLife International contributed to the development of the performance specification draft that has the potential of providing information regarding selection, use care and maintenance of protective clothing garments for pesticide applicators. Harmonized ASTM and ISO will enable countries using the respective standards to develop educational materials based on performance specifications. The Minnesota Sun Smart outreach program on sun safety, was instituted in 1994 and has been presented to people of all ages throughout the state of Minnesota and is estimated to have reached in excess of 50,000 people. The program is continually updated and revised incorporating new findings on sun protection, making it relevant to new audiences. Minnesota research efforts through the Human Dimensioning Laboratory, the Extreme Environments Laboratory, and the Mechanical Engineering Biofactors Lab are striving to combine a total human factors approach to the design and testing of protective clothing. Body temperature maintenance garments in conjunction with the U of MN Extreme Environments Lab are in review by NASA. The Human Dimensioning Laboratory motion capture system has potential for evaluating ease of movement in PPE. Development of protocols, data collection, and analysis methods for use with the 3-D body scanner being conducted at New York will contribute to the growing number of research projects related to apparel using this tool. Collaborative projects with the University of Iowa Virtual Soldier project and with the US Army facility at Natick are being explored. The advanced understanding of the fit and sizing of protective garments will lead to better performance and protection of the apparel. Collaborative research and design methods being explored by New York, California, Missouri, and Minnesota can lead to methods of integrating many perspectives on use of new materials, incorporating body dimension data into apparel, and methods of testing effectiveness of new designs. Oklahoma is receiving information on protection provided with Body Armor reported above. Reports are beginning to come from Iraq indicating that soldiers wearing QuadGard® who suffered an IED, did not experience limb injuries from shrapnel. If these reports continue, then clearly, the use of limb body armor would be shown to be very beneficial. The next generation torso armor being prepared for testing, has the potential to lessen injuries to the back and shoulders from load carriage and SAPI plate carriage, as well as lessen injuries to the lower back from shrapnel due to extended coverage of the OSU/FST vest. The Oklahoma Chemical Detection Smart Textile Study develops a smart textile prototype to use textiles as a platform for chemical detection sensors. Using this smart textile in protective clothing will provide first responders with an early alert of and better protection against toxic chemicals in the environment. WORK PLANNED FOR NEXT YEAR At California: California plans to include additional work on antibacterial and antimicrobial processes and continued investigation, both theoretically and experimentally, of the mechanisms involved when textile products interact with human skin.Work will also continue on improving the design of pesticide protective coveralls and assessing the effects of moisture in different types of thermal protective clothing systems. Initial work will be done on a protective clothing data base. At Colorado: Colorado is investigating the relationship of cover factor to UPF for nonwovens. A second study is investigating the effect of post-enzymatic dyeing of cotton fabrics on UPF and percent cover. At Maryland: Maryland will continue work on standards development, laboratory testing and worker exposure studies with specific plans to: " Finalize the performance specification draft and submit it to ASTM International and ISO for balloting. " Identify six laboratories willing to participate in the interlaboratory test for the pipette method. Work with the laboratories to conduct interlaboratory tests. " Revise ASTM F2130 standard and submit it for balloting " Continue to collaborate with CropLife and other groups involved with worker exposure studies. At Minnesota: The motion capture system developed by BTS is being tested for use in evaluating human range of motion in PPE. This technology may prove useful for the team of researcher/designers (New York, California, Missouri, Minnesota) developing new disposable pesticide applicators garments. Work will continue with the Extreme Environments Lab to test the space hood and to pursue new opportunities for garment design for space exploration. Results of a revised grading approach for apparel will be reviewed for possible application to PPE. The Minnesota SunSmart Program continues as an outreach program facilitated by our extension educator. At Missouri: Projects planned for next year include continuing to improve on the design of pesticide protective coveralls and instituting successful protocol for design video conferencing. Fabric samples will be obtained to ascertain the hand of the fabric and any special considerations. Missouri has taken on the responsibility of organizing and scheduling the virtual design sessions. At New York: New York plans to continue work on membranes for improved protective clothing by: " Exploring the science and engineering of new membranes for personal protection. " Developing hybrid microporous membranes that respond to moisture/liquid content for use in chemical and biological protective clothing. " Studying the surface modification of polyurethane (PU) membranes with N-halamine structures and evaluate the antimicrobial efficacies. " Modifying the microporous hydrophobic polyolefin membrane surfaces with hydrophilic grafts. " Developing a functional membrane casting procedure and explore the casting and membrane formation mechanism. " Evaluating the decontamination properties of halamine treated fabrics in order to understand what level of increased protection is provided by this decontamination mechanism. New York plans to pilot test educational tools that help pesticide applicators comply with pesticide label statements and the Worker Protection Standard through the use of engineering controls and PPE. New York will also continue to work with designers from CA, MS, MN, and OK to develop and test a disposable coverall for pesticide protection At Oklahoma: The NSF funded exploratory study of chemical detection smart textiles has been completed. The investigation of using porphyrin and porphyrin dyed textile fabric to detect other toxic chemicals such as carbamate, another widely used pesticide, will be conducted.

Publications

PUBLICATIONS/PRESENTATIONS BY STATE: California: In Print Full length Articles Liuyang Wang, Xie J, Gu LX, & Gang Sun (2006). Preparation of antimicrobial polyacrylonitrile fibers: Blending with polyacrylonitrile-co-3-allyl-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, Polymer Bulletin, 56 (2-3): 247-256. Xin Fei, T. Shibamoto, Pengfei Gao, & Gang Sun (2006). Pesticide detoxifying functions and N-halamine fabrics, Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, available online. Wen Zhong, Malcolm MQ Xing, Ning Pan & Howard I Maibach, Textiles and human skin, microclimate, cutaneous reactions: An overview, Journal of Toxicology: Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology, 25 (1): 23-39. Malcolm MQ Xing, Zhiguo Sun, Wen Zhong, Ning Pan & Howard Maibach, An EFE model on skin - sleeve interactions during arm rotation, ASME Journal of Biomechnical Engineering, in press. Malcolm MQ Xing, Wen Zhong, Ning Pan & Howard Maibach, Numerical model of skin frictional blistering, Skin Science and Technology, in press. Rucker, M. (2006). The effects of silk screened emblems on thermal protection of wildland fire fighter protective clothing systems under two moisture conditions. Report to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Refereed Presentations Sun, G., Kaiser, S. B., Rucker, M. H., Bhuie, A., Overcash, M., Nicas, M., & Wang, Lu. Health protective textiles: Bridging the disposable/reusable divide. Presented at the Reusable Medical Textiles Conference, April 26-27, 2006, Indianapolis, IN. Lu, Y. & Rucker, M. Attitudes toward medical textiles: Purchasing agents and doctors.. Presented at the Reusable Medical Textiles Conference, April 26-27, 2006, Indianapolis, IN. Colorado: Book Chapter Sarkar, A.K. (2005). Textiles for UV protection. In: Scott, R.A. (Ed.), Textiles for protection. Cambridge, UK: Woodhead Publishing Limited. Refereed Presentations Sarkar, A.K., Ramkumar, S.S., Kanukuntla, S., and Dhandapani, R. (2006). UV characteristics of cotton and blended nonwovens [Abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, National Cotton Council of America. Maryland: Book Chapter Shaw, A. (2005). Chapter 4: Steps in selection of protective clothing materials, In: Scott, R.A. (Ed.), Textiles for protection. Cambridge, UK: Woodhead Publishing Limited. Refereed Presentations Shaw, A. and Pagadala, S. PPE for Pesticide Applicators: Performance of Protective Clothing Materials with Repellent Finishes, International Conference Research and Standardization in the Field of Development and Use of Personal Protective Equipment, Cracow, Poland, September 2005 Shaw, A. and Vankalaya G., Protective clothing for pesticide applicators: a comprehensive online system for data management, analysis and dissemination of information, 3rd European Conference on Protective Clothing and NOKOBETEF 8, Gdynia, Poland, May 2006 Minnesota: In Print Full-length Articles Bye, E., LaBat, K., & DeLong, M. (2006). Analysis of body measurement systems for apparel. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 24(2), 66-79 . Schofield, N., Ashdown, S., Hethorn, J., LaBat, K., & Salusso, C. (2006). Improving apparel fit for women 55 and older through an exploration of two pant shapes. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, 24(2), 147-160. Book Chapter In Press LaBat, K. (in press). Sizing Standardisation, in Ashdown, S.P., Editor. Sizing in Clothing: Developing Effective Sizing Systems for Ready-To-Wear Clothing, Woodhead Publishing Limited. Encyclopedia Entry LaBat, K. (2006). Human factors and apparel design, International Encyclopedia of Ergonomics and Human Factors. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press. Masters Thesis Completed Karen Ryan, M.D., Aesthetically unique, specially sized clothing for women with osteoporotic posture changes, May 2006 Web Site Human Dimensioning Laboratory,University of Minnesota, College of Design, http://dha.cdes.umn.edu/outreach_center/Human_Dimensioning_Lab.html Refereed Presentations McKinney, E., Bye, E., LaBat, K, Delong, M., & Kim, D. Linking research and education through the Human Dimensioning Laboratory. International Fiber Societies Conference 2006, Seoul, Korea, May 31-June 2, 2006. DeLong, M., LaBat, K., Bye, E. Advancing apparel fit and sizing at the Univeristy of Minnesota, Cultural Exchange Project: Mission Continued, International Commemorative Symposium of the 60th Anniversary of Hong-Ik University, Seoul, Korea, May 2006. Non-refereed Presentations LaBat, K., Bye, E. & DeLong, M. History of fit and sizing research at the University of Minnesota, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, May 2006. LaBat, K. Functional clothing design research at the University of Minnesota, Ehwa Womans University, Seoul, Korea, May, 2006 New York: In Print Full-length Articles Kuitian Tan, S. Kay Obendorf, Surface Modification of Microporous Polyurethane Membrane with Poly(ethylene glycol) to Develop a Hybrid Membrane, Journal of Membrane Science 274:150158 (2006). S. K. Obendorf, A.T. Lemley, A. Hedge, A.A. Kline, K. Tan, T. Dokuchayeva, Distribution of Pesticide Residue within Homes in Central New York State, Archive of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 50:31-44 (2006). Lee, J. & Ashdown, S. P., Upper Body Change Analysis using 3-D Body Scanner, Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles, English Edition 29 (12), 1595-1607 (2005). Ashdown, S. P., Slocum, A., & Lee Y. A., The Third Dimension for Apparel Designers: Visual Assessment of Hat Designs for Sun Protection using 3-D Scan Images, Clothing and Textiles Research Journal 23 (3) 151-164 (2005). Ashdown, S. P. & OConnell, E. K., Comparison of Test Protocols for Judging the Fit of Mature Womens Apparel, Clothing and Textiles Research Journal, Focused Issue on Fit 24(2), 137-146 (2006). Lee, Y. A., Ashdown, S. P., Slocum, A. C., Measurement of Surface Area of 3-D Body Scans to Assess the Effectiveness of Hats for Sun Protection, Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal 34(4), 366-385. Available at http://fcs.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/34/4/366 (2006). In Press Full-length Articles Seungsin Lee and S. Kay Obendorf, Developing Protective Textile Materials as Barriers to Liquid Penetration Using Melt-Electrospinning, Journal of Applied Polymer Science (in press) Lee, Seungsin and Obendorf, S. Kay. Barrier Effectiveness and Thermal Comfort of Protective Clothing Materials, Journal of the Textile Institute (in press) Seungsin Lee and S. Kay Obendorf , Use of Electrospun Nanofiver Web for Protective Textile Materials as Barriers to Liquid Penetration, Textile Research Journal (in press) Book In Press Ashdown, S.P., Editor. Sizing in Clothing: Developing Effective Sizing Systems for Ready-To-Wear Clothing, Woodhead Publishing Limited. Submitted Full-length Articles Coffman, C. W., Stone, J. F., Slocum, A., Landers, A. J., Schwab, C. V., Olsen, L, and Lee, S. Influence of Engineering Controls on Personal Protective Equipment Use, Journal of Agricultural Safety and Health (submitted). Petrova, A. and Ashdown, S.P. 3-D Body Scan Data Analysis: Body Size and Shape Dependence of Ease Values for Pants Fit. Clothing and Textiles Research Journal. (submitted). Abstracts Nam, J., Branson, D., Cao, H., Ashdown, S. P., & Schoenfelder, K. 3D Body Scanning: Methods and Data Analysis Development for Quantifying Ease. 2005 International Textile and Apparel Association Proceedings. Lyman-Clarke, L., Ashdown, S. P., Loker, S., Lewis, V. D., & Schoenfelder, K. A Comparison of Visual Analysis Rating Systems. 2005 International Textile and Apparel Association Proceedings Non-Refereed Publications Coffman, C. Enclosed Cabs Reduce Pesticide Exposure, Textiles & Apparel News 22 (3): 4. September, 2006. Refereed Presentations Coffman, Charlotte W. Testing for PPE Resistance for Pesticide Penetration, Northeast Pesticide Safety Education and Certification Workshop, September 25, 2006, Mystic, CT. Coffman, Charlotte W. Understanding Tradeoffs between Engineering Controls to Reduce Pesticide Exposure and Use of PPE, Northeast Pesticide Safety Education and Certification Workshop, September 25, 2006, Mystic, CT. Coffman, Charlotte W. Household dust Study: Pesticide Residues Found in Dust Samples Collected from New York Homes, Northeast Pesticide Safety Education and Certification Workshop, September 26, 2006, Mystic, CT. Coffman, Charlotte W., Stone, Janis F., Slocum, Ann, Landers, Andrew J., Schwab, Charles V., Olsen, Larry G. and Lee, Seungsin. Influence of Engineering Controls on Personal Protective Equipment Use, Fiber Society, Seoul, Korea, May 31-June 2, 2006 (poster) Kuitian Tan and S. Kay Obendorf, Development of a Novel Membrane Intended for High Performance Protective Clothing, Fiber Society, October 17-19, 2005, Newark, NJ. Seungsin Lee and S. Kay Obendorf, Developing Protective Textile Materials as Barriers to Liquid Penetration Using Melt-Electrospinning (poster), Fiber Society, October 17-19, 2005, Newark, NJ. Kuitian Tan and S. Kay Obendorf, C05-CR01: Hybrid Microporous Membranes Intended for Protective Clothing (poster), National Textile Center Forum, February 20, 2006. Seungsin Lee and S. Kay Obendorf, Use of Electrospun Nanofiber Web for Protective Textile Materials as Barriers to Liquid Penetration, Fiber Society, Seoul, Korea, May 31-June 2, 2006 (poster) Ashdown, S. P., Loker, S., Carnrite, E. Digitizing the Fit Model using 3D Body Scanning Technology. Presentation at the International Foundation of Fashion Technology Institutes Conference, Raleigh, NC, June 18-22 2006. Nam, J., Branson, D., Cao, H., Ashdown, S. P., & Schoenfelder, K. 3D Body Scanning: Methods and Data Analysis Development for Quantifying Ease. Presentation at the International Textile and Apparel Association Conference, Alexandria, VA, November 1-6, 2005. Lyman-Clarke, L., Ashdown, S. P., Loker, S., Lewis, V. D., & Schoenfelder, K. A Comparison of Visual Analysis Rating Systems. International Textile and Apparel Association Conference, Alexandria, VA, November 1-6, 2005. (poster) Ashdown, S.P. & Loker, S. Improved Apparel Sizing: Fit and Anthropometric 3D Scan Data, (poster) National Textile Center Forum, Hilton Head, SC, Feb. 19-21, 2006. Non-refereed Presentations Coffman, C. Protective Clothing and Gear and Cornell Research Related to PPE, Advanced Horticulture School, Rochester, NY, January 31, 2006. Coffman, C. PPE When Handling Pesticides, Pesticide Applicator Certification Orientation, Ithaca, NY. January 18, 2006. Internet Occupational Safety and Protective Clothing, http://txnc170.human.cornell.edu/ Personal Pesticide Protection, http://www.humec.cornell.edu/units/txa/extension/pest/ Body Scanning for Apparel, http://www.explore.cornell.edu/bodyscanner Sizing and Fit of Apparel, http://www.legacyhuman.wpg.cornell.edu/txa/faculty/SizingSystems/index_flash.html Oklahoma: Full-length articles in print Cao, H., Branson, D. H., Peksoz, S., Nam, J., & Farr, C. A. (2006). Fabric selection for a liquid cooling garment. Textile Research Journal, 76(7), 587-595. Nam, J., Branson, D.H., Ashdown, S., Cao, H., Jin, B., Peksoz, S., and Farr, C. (2005). Fit analysis of liquid cooled vest prototypes using 3D body scanning technology. Journal of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management, 4(3). Full-length articles in press Cao, H., Nam, J., Harmon, H. J., & Branson, D. H. (in press). Spectrophotometric detection of organophosphate diazinon by porphyrin solution and porphyrin-dyed cotton fabric. Dyes and Pigments. Book Chapter In Press Branson, D.H. & Nam, J. (in press). Materials and sizing, in Ashdown, S.P., Editor. Sizing in Clothing: Developing Effective Sizing Systems for Ready-To-Wear Clothing, Woodhead Publishing Limited. Juried Design Exhibits/Competitions Peksoz, S., Branson, D., and Farr, C. (November 2005). QuadGard® Body Armor. At the International Textiles and Apparel Association Annual Conference Juried Exhibition, Alexandria, VA. Refereed Presentations Cao, H., Harmon, H. J., & Branson, D. H. (2005, November). Detection of organophosphate by porphyrin solution and porphyrin-dyed cotton fabric. Paper presented at the annual meeting of International Textile and Apparel Association, Alexandria, VA. Nam, J., Branson, D.,Cao, H., Asdown, S., and Schoenfelder, K. (2005, November). 3D body scanning: Methods and data analysis development for quantifying ease. ITAA Annual Conference, Alexandria, VA. Rupert, N.L., Matic, P., Hubler, G.K., Frost, J., Branson, D., Bruno, R.S., Blethen, W.C., Sprague, J.S., Simmons, K., Farr, C., and Peksoz, S. (2005). 22nd International Symposium of Ballistics, Vancouver, British Columbia. Peksoz, S., Quevedo, V., Branson, D. Gam, HaeJin, and Ricord, D., (2006, November). Meeting an industry request: Developing prototype firefighter bunker gear. ITAA Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. Branson, D., Peksoz, S., Ricord, D., Farr, C., and Kumphai, P. (2006, November). Commercializing QuadGard(r) body armor: Initial steps. ITAA Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. Ricord, D., Kumphai, P., Branson, D., and Peksoz, S. (2006, November). Breaking ground: Moving from laboratory prototype to apparel production. ITAA Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX. Starr, C., Branson, D., Peksoz, S., and Ricord, D. (2006, November). Child's medical support garment prototype. ITAA Annual Conference, San Antonio, TX.

Impact Statements

see accomplishments