Textile Insight

July / August 2018

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56 • Textile Insight ~ July/August 2018 textileinsight.com ased on World Health Organization (WHO) findings, one of the most significant envi- ronmental risks is the potential exposure to bites from insects, with mosquito bites being particularly worrisome. More than one million people die every year as a result of vector-borne diseases (illnesses caused by parasites, viruses and bacte- ria that are transmitted by mosquitoes, sandflies, triatomine bugs, blackflies, ticks, tsetse flies, mites, snails and lice). Solutions already exist that can minimize the transmission of insect-borne diseases, including the application of DEET or other topical chemical repellents several times a day, or by wearing insect-resistant clothing that contains chemicals (such as picaridin or permethrin) bound to the fabric fibers. Although these solutions can be effective, exposure to these substances can create other health/skin issues. Chemically treated clothing options can also lack breathability, flexibility, and can be uncomfortable to wear. Dr. Andre West, from the Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management Department at North Carolina State is involved in a five-year collaboration to address this issue. The diverse team of researchers includes NC State's College of Textiles, the College of Natural Resources, and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and brings together textile engineers, technolo- gists/designers and comfort analyst/protection specialists with entomologists to study how mosquitos interact with textile structures. The Research The team is investigating textile-based solutions that can protect people who live or work in areas where mosquitos and mosquito-borne illnesses are present. The goal is to develop prototype fabrics that provide effective, comfortable protection from mosquito bites without using chemicals. "Our highly engineered fabrics are being developed in tightly knitted woven, and nonwoven constructions, made from the finest yarns available on the market today. The fabrics need to have good porosity for breathability, but the pores need to be small enough to prevent the permeation of the mosquito's proboscis from penetrating the fabric," explains West. "The fabrics are being developed in a variety of weights suitable for both undergarments and outer-garments." Both polyester and nylon constructions have been tested, but the focus is now on fine-gauge nylon fabrics, since nylon has shown to have better elasticity. The research team is also look- ing at layering garments made from these comfortable fabrics to provide additional insurance against mosquito penetration. Fabric Testing The fabrics are designed, developed, and tested in collaboration with international manufacturers and the textile and entomol- ogy lab at NC State. The lab raises and maintains colonies of mosquitos for testing the prototype bite-resistant textiles and garments. Testing takes place in walk-in cages containing mosquitos. The tests are designed to determine the mosquito's ability to penetrate the fabric with its needle-like mouthparts after landing on the fabric's surface. The fabrics are carefully evaluated for their bite-resistance and comfort, including air and heat permeability and moisture wicking. The testing showed that both fabric color and the wearer's body odor attract mosquitos to their potential victim. Researchers found that dark colored clothing is especially appealing to mosquitos. Overall, NC State's prototype fabrics proved to be better than 98 percent effective when garments were worn for twenty minutes in a cage containing 100 female blood-feeding mosquitoes. The garments greatly reduced the bites and the amount of repellant needed during extreme mosquito exposure. Currently, maternity wear as protection from the Zika virus has the highest priority for NC State's research, but West also sees a broad array of future applications for the fabrics. Some of the commercialized end-uses mentioned by West include outdoor sports, active/yoga wear, military, sleepwear, animal/ pet protection, and agricultural insect protection. O EDUCATION | NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY Insecticide-Free Fabric Finding Textile-based Solutions to the Protection Problem Collaboratively. By Kathlyn Swantko For more information on NC State's research on Insecticide-Free Fabric Protection, contact Dr. Andre West, assistant professor in Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management: ajwest2@ncsu.edu, 919-515-6650. Kathlyn Swantko, president of the FabricLink Network, created TheTechnicalCenter.com for Industry networking and marketing of specialty textiles, and fabricklink.com for consumer education involving everything fabric. Contact: kgswantko@fabriclink.com An example of the bite resistant activewear designed by the team of researchers at NC State University. FabricLink.com TheTechnicalCenter.com "We have been using the FabricLink Network for over 10 years and it has consistently been one the top digital drivers to our site, and a great source of information for trade and consumers alike." Lisa Hardy North America Marketing Manager Teflon™ textile finishes, Teflon™ fabric protector, The Chemours Company Why clients are excited about the benefits of The FabricLink Network Partnership Opportunities: Kristi Rummel kristi@rummelmedia.com 608.435.6220 Editorial Opportunities: Kathy Swantko kgswantko@fabricklink.com 818.345.7501 How will they find you, if you're not there? The FabricLink Network THE Networking / Education Search Engine for ALL Things Textile Related!

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