title: Effectiveness of permethrin-treated clothing to prevent tick exposure in foresters in the central Appalachian region of the USA.
abstract: Outdoor workers are at risk from mosquito and tick bites and the extent to which exposures are linked to vector-borne disease is not understood. This pilot study characterizes for ester exposure to mosquitoes and ticks, and assesses effectiveness of permethrin-treated clothing for prevention of tick bites. Foresters (N = 34) from Kentucky, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia were placed into treatment (permethrin-treated clothing) or control (untreated clothing) groups. Foresters completed questionnaires about work-related tick/mosquito exposure and 454 ticks were collected/identified from May to June 2013. A time-weighted analysis based on information submitted by foresters about time working outdoors showed that control participants received a lower rate of tick exposure (0.15 tick bites/hour; 13 bites/person) compared to treatment participants (0.27 bites/hour; 21 bites/person). However, more control participants (85 %) received at least one tick bite compared to treatment participants (52 %). Outdoor workers should be aware of available protective measures, such as permethrin-treated clothing, that may mitigate occupational risks.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Health Education and Promotion, Environmental Health Sciences Program , East Carolina University , Greenville , NC , USA.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: L Richards
authors.forename: Jo Anne
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: G Balanay
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: W Harris
mesh_terms: D056810:Acaricides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D001061:Appalachian Region; D003020:Clothing; D005260:Female; D016468:Forestry; D006801:Humans; D026863:Ixodidae / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D026023:Permethrin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014768:Virginia; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D056810:Acaricides; D026023:Permethrin
keywords: forester; mosquito; permethrin-treated clothing; tick