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

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 group's new secretary. The group approved University of Minnesota as the location for next year's meeting. Dates for next year's 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.
1. product development (membranes, NY; halamine, CA)
2. performance testing and evaluation (NY, CA)
3. technology transfer (CA)
2. Design and evaluate garment systems and processes to protect human health and enhance performance.
1. design (OK)
2. performance testing and evaluation

1) human factors evaluation (NY,OK,MN,MO,CA [fire fighter and pesticide applicator])

1. technology transfer (OK)
1. Establish a communication and education system for personal protective technology.
1. integrate research findings (databases – MD,OK,CA)
2. extend to industry and government (MD,OK)
3. address user needs

•  user input (MD,OK,MN,NY)

•  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

Ajoy K. Sarkar, Design and Merchandising, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523. email: sarkar@cahs.colostate.edu

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.

Dr. Lynn M. Boorady, Department of Textile and Apparel Management, University of Missouri , Columbia , MO 65211 email: booradyl@missouri.edu

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.

Dr. Karen LaBat, University of Minnesota , 240 McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Ave. , St. Paul , MN , email: klabat@umn.edu . Tel: 612-624-3628, Fax: 612-624-2750.

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.

Dr. Anugrah Shaw, Department of Human Ecology, University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), Princess Anne, MD 21853 email: ashaw@mail.umes.edu

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.

S. Kay Obendorf, Cornell University , Department of Textiles & Apparel, MVR 239, Ithaca , NY . Email: sko3@cornell.edu . Tel: 607-255-4719, 607-255-3148. Fax: 607-255-1093, 607-255-3794.

Susan Ashdown, Cornell University , Department of Textiles & Apparel, MVR 239, Ithaca , NY . Email: spa4@cornell.edu . Tel: 607-255-1929. Fax: 607-255-1093.

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”.