MikeyC
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- CF - September 2016
CF - April May 2017
Shikoku - October 2017
Kumano Kodo - October 2017
CF - 2019
I was browsing different threads and saw various mentions of permethrin being applied to clothing, bedding and equipment, some of which were different to my understanding.
I thought it worthwhile to refer back to a data sheet from the US Environmental Protection Agency about permethrin which is a low risk* insecticide to human health when factory applied and used correctly.
Permethrin is approved for use on outer clothing (as well as tents, backpacks, etc...). The data sheet refers to factory treated clothing being labelled as "wash separately" so that permethrin in a wash does not transfer to underwear.
I extrapolate from this that while pilgrims treating their equipment and outer clothing is absolutely fine (and I include in this the outer side of a sleeping bag) I would hesitate about treating the inside and would certainly not treat a pillowcase, T shirt and the like. The "wash separately" requirement was also new to me or maybe I had just conveniently forgotten it.
https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/repellent-treated-clothing
* Although the EPA essentially says low risk, permethrin is not available in Canada although apparently this is now being revisited.
I thought it worthwhile to refer back to a data sheet from the US Environmental Protection Agency about permethrin which is a low risk* insecticide to human health when factory applied and used correctly.
Permethrin is approved for use on outer clothing (as well as tents, backpacks, etc...). The data sheet refers to factory treated clothing being labelled as "wash separately" so that permethrin in a wash does not transfer to underwear.
I extrapolate from this that while pilgrims treating their equipment and outer clothing is absolutely fine (and I include in this the outer side of a sleeping bag) I would hesitate about treating the inside and would certainly not treat a pillowcase, T shirt and the like. The "wash separately" requirement was also new to me or maybe I had just conveniently forgotten it.
https://www.epa.gov/insect-repellents/repellent-treated-clothing
* Although the EPA essentially says low risk, permethrin is not available in Canada although apparently this is now being revisited.