Cara Lin,
Yeah, I read those, too. Hard to say about allergies. It could well be something like a combination of detergent and permethryn carrier(often water in low concentrations, or some type of oil, kerosene?, in heavy 10% based farm methodologies.) Maybe something in sweat, the type of cloth and the permethryn? Anyway, these types of things are difficult to pinpoint. I believe RID uses a mild detergent to mix water and permethryn for application. Generally, washing it in like shampoo works, as I remember.
Anyway, there is no need to antagonize your body, waiting for an allergic response. All exterior clothing is treated, of course. I don't think doing your socks is necessary, nor underwear. But, a base layer? This is often the *only* layer you wear in 60-70 degree weather while hiking. Some bug protection is needed. But, permethryn is a neurotoxin. I just avoid direct contact with it on general principles.
Taking a conservative approach, I don't use it on anything except my outer clothing. The only exception is my base layer T shirt...usually long sleeved "T" shirt. So I am not exactly strict about avoiding it, nor loose about using it. I am concerned about the clouds of black flies and later on mosquitoes I often hike through. Paddling is a bit better, since there is generally a slight wind, enough to break up my heat/breathing signature. The risk of minor infections, or major ones, the discomfort of being well chewed, are enough to say it is worth the risk since it is pretty clear it is well below the approved levels of application.
I try to use a combination of things, DEET, permethryn, and other stuff. I do not recommend it to anyone. Despite the fairly clean bill, poisons can enter you and your body without knowledge. There is no substitute for educating yourself on the side effects, allergic responses, safe handling and damage to the environment any poison can pose. The DDT disaster is one that was also given a clean bill. No one knew at the time it would also kill off larger birds because it made nesting nearly impossible. I do not worry about what cannot be found about something. I worry when they cannot find anything . . .it just says they are not looking hard enough. The decline of the fish populations in the North East? Then the resurgence? Why? There are known problems with *water*! Too much and too little with people. This points to the real problem: we simply do not know enough about things and interrelated effects.
Permethryn is deadly on fish. So, you cannot simply dispose of any excess down the drain. Treatment plants cannot remove it. It *will* attach to stuff fairly strongly. Bleached sawdust for example. I put any excess around the foundation to keep ants and termites away. It bonds quite strongly with clothing, soo, it does not wash out. But, use it sparingly. It can have a strong effect on cats. Don't use it if your cat sleeps on your camping gear. Side effects...the things you do not think of are the big problem. The things that remain untested. Why are all the amphibians dying in Minnesota? No known cause. I am not saying permethryn causes it, but, something is. It is deadly on these critters, too. IFF you use it, use it with caution. I don't know enough to say anything more about it.
My thoughts only . . .
jdm
James D. Marco
302 Mary Lane
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-273-9132 (land), 607-220-9969(cell)
-----Original Message-----
Cara Lin Bridgman
Sent: Monday, May 07, 2012 9:59 AM
Subject: Re: [BackpackingLight] soak ALL clothes in
permethrin?
I've never tried it, but remember something in
previouse permethrin debates-instructions about treated
socks (and base layers?) causing an allergic reaction.
CL
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