The NC-170 Regional
Research Project was organized in 1982 titled "Limiting Pesticide
Exposure Through Textile Cleaning Procedures and Selection of Clothing."
The states involved were CA, KS, IL, IA, MI, MN, NE and ND. Each
state selected one or more pesticides to soil white cotton and cotton/blend
fabrics before laundering. Survey work focused on farmers' use of
protective clothing and family laundering practices.
In 1987, the title changed to "Reducing Pesticide Exposure of Applicators
through Improved Clothing Design and Care." Members of the group
were CA, IL, IA, MI, NE, ND, GA, OK and Alberta, Canada. The objectives
focused on evaluation of protective clothing. A baseline laundering
study with common protocol was conducted in most states.
In 1992, the title became "Enhancing Health and Safety Through Personal
Protective Equipment." Members of the group were CA, GA, IL, IA,
IN (Purdue), KS, MD-Eastern Shore, MI, NY, OK and SD and Alberta,
Canada. Objectives included evaluation of barrier and comfort properties
of textiles, user satisfaction, and key factors in information delivery
influencing adoption of protective clothing.
The project "Occupational Safety and Health through the Use
of Protective Clothing" began in 1997 and ended in 2002. Both
researchers and Extension faculty were included as participants.
States involved were: CA, IA, IL, MD, MI, NY, and OK. NE and Alberta,
Canada were collaborators. Protective clothing issues studied were
concerned with not only minimizing pesticide exposure, but also
with minimizing ultraviolet exposure from the sun, and effects of
heat stress, flame and radiant heat encountered in wild-land fire
fighting.
The current five-year project is "Mediating Exposure to Environmental
Hazards through Textile Systems." The objectives of the proposal
are:
- To improve
protection and human factor performance of PPE through product
development.
- To examine
acceptance and barriers to acceptance of PPE products and Practices.
- To develop
performance specifications for protective clothing materials.
The project
involves researchers from CA, CO, IA, IL, MD, NY, and OK. TX is
collaborating.
In addition to the many refereed journal publications by project
researchers, the group sponsored three international symposia to
inform other researchers and the public about its findings. Proceedings
of these symposia on "Chemicals, Textiles and the Near Environment"
were published in 1988, 1993, and 1997. Additionally, pre-conference
sessions disseminated findings to Extension faculty with a special
focus on their informational needs. Outreach to the academic community
and to the public is being enhanced through this WWW page.
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© 2000 USDA. All rights reserved.
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