May 28, 2010
WASHINGTON, DC – As America pauses on Memorial Day to reflect on the sacrifices being made by the U.S. military, small steps are taken by citizens each day to help our troops. While recognizing their duty and commitment, the member companies of CropLife America (CLA) help provide the products and tools which combat a consistent threat among the armed forces: insects and pests.
Pest problems have posed a serious issue for the U.S. military throughout history. During the early stages of the Vietnam War, malaria had a crippling effect on troops. Almost 50 out of every 1000 troops contracted malaria, seriously draining the resources of medical services and impacting all units. In current operations in the Middle East, over 1,300 service members have contracted a serious parasitic disease caused by sand flies, which results in open sores and can be fatal. Through the safe application of pest control products and wearing protective gear, the military is now able to help prevent this recurring problem.
To help protect our troops from pests such as mosquitoes and sand flies, which threaten the health of the military, companies such as CLA members develop and test key ingredients for the common insect repellant that so many soldiers depend on. In addition, many uniforms are treated with an insecticide that is applied directly to the fabric, and test batches are then rigorously examined for safety and effectiveness at government research laboratories. This rigorous testing process has been approved for battle uniforms for almost all branches of the U.S. military, including Marines, Navy, Air Force and Army. All of these tools provide one small step in helping to improve the lives of U.S. military abroad.
Pest control products play an important role in not only helping increase crop yield, but also protecting public health. With specially treated uniforms, troops are better protected against disease-carrying insects. For more information on pest management in the U.S. military, visit the Armed Forces Pest Management Board at www.afpmb.org. Visit CropLife America at www.croplifeamerica.org for additional information on the benefits of pest control.
