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.
As a motorcyclist, I've known for many years not to wear nylon or other plastic synthetics next to my skin for exactly the same reason: If I fling the model up the road, God should only forbid, these materials get hot while you're sliding down the pavement and greatly exacerbate road rash. That's why riders wear leather, which abrades without added heat and protects them.
One would think that our military genii would know that things like bullets and shrapnel, let alone an explosive blast or fuel fire, are very, very hot and melt plastic. I'm surprised they ever let them wear stuff like that at all.
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