Marines Ban Polyester Clothing In Iraq (burn danger)

[Barrett808]

Marines Ban Polyester Clothing In Iraq
Marine Corps News
Stephen Holt

Camp Taqaddum, Iraq - Under direction of Marine Corps commanders in Iraq, wearing synthetic athletic clothing containing polyester and nylon has been prohibited while conducting operations off of forward operating bases and camps.

The ban on popular clothing from companies like Under Armour, CoolMax and Nike comes in the wake of concerns that a substantial burn risk is associated with wearing clothing made with these synthetic materials.

When exposed to extreme heat and flames, clothing containing some synthetic materials like polyester will melt and can fuse to the skin. This essentially creates a second skin and can lead to horrific, disfiguring burns, said Navy Capt. Lynn E. Welling, the 1st Marine Logistics Group head surgeon.

Whether on foot patrol or conducting a supply convoy while riding in an armored truck, everyone is at risk to such injuries while outside the wire.

“Burns can kill you and they’re horribly disfiguring. If you’re throwing (a melted synthetic material) on top of a burn, basically you have a bad burn with a bunch of plastic melting into your skin and that’s not how you want to go home to your family,” said Welling.

(more)

http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,93820,00.html

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. Been true on ships for years

interesting. I guess we have a lot of burn vics now.

[BiggJawn]

2. FDNY found that out 30 years ago.

They used to have polyester uniforms until firefighters started getting horribly burned by their clothes melting into their flesh.

I had a polyester burn on my hand once. I think I can appreciate what Napalm does.

[genie_weenie]

3. This is most likely in reference

to the huge popularity of underarmour (which are polyester) shirts in Iraq. I had 3 over there as well as the standard 100% cotton shirts. I never wore an underarmour when I was on patrols though. Me smart Marine, ugh ugh...

[Sequoia]

4. Never wear stockings on the plane ladies.

If there's a fire your legs are in trouble. I hate polyester and even though I have a few items from years past, I try not to buy it anymore. I wanted to buy a 100% cotton robe for my daughter and all the robes, even adults, were 100% polyester.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. I've been wearing all natural fibres on planes for years

100% cotton knits are the way to go for both comfort and safety.

[noonwitch]

5. It means female soldiers will go bra-less

There are few bras made without the use of polyester to some degree. Maybe the military has a connection for well-made cotton bras?

[TroubleMan]

7. Bad news for Disco Stu

I heard he just signed up.