Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

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.

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.

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