Fibers based on poly(vinyl alcohol) is composed of a poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer and a phyllosilicate. The fibers contain 30 to 400 parts by mass of the phyllosilicate per 100 parts by mass of the poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer. The fibers have a swelling degree of 200 to 600%.

Fibers based on poly(vinyl alcohol) is composed of a poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer and a phyllosilicate. The fibers contain 30 to 400 parts by mass of the phyllosilicate per 100 parts by mass of the poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer. The fibers have a swelling degree of 200 to 600%.

Combined insect repellents and odor-reducing compositions are disclosed that use the insect repellent Picaridin [2-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperidine carboxylic acid 1-methylpropyl ester] in combination with the odor-reducer zinc ricinoleate are disclosed, as are methods for using these compositions. The presence of the odor reducer does not reduce the apparent efficacy of the Picaridin, and tends to reduce the odor of the Picaridin itself.

Provided is a composition for the treatment of fibers, such as PAN precursor fibers. The finish composition includes a polysiloxane; an emulsifier; water; and a dicarboxylic acid having a pK.sub.a from 1 to 4, and boiling point from 200 to 400 C. The dicarboxylic acid may have the following formula:

##STR00001##

where R.sub.1 is absent or a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, aromatic substituted or unsubstituted, hydrocarbon group; Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 are independently hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group, or an alkoxy group; and X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently one or more hydrogen atoms, a metal, a quaternary amine, or a hydrocarbon group having up to 6 carbon atoms, the hydrocarbon group being an alkyl group, an alkylene group, or an aromatic group, which may be branched or linear, and may optionally have one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus.

Provided is a composition for the treatment of fibers, such as PAN precursor fibers. The finish composition includes a polysiloxane; an emulsifier; water; and a dicarboxylic acid having a pK.sub.a from 1 to 4, and boiling point from 200 to 400 C. The dicarboxylic acid may have the following formula:

##STR00001##

where R.sub.1 is absent or a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, aromatic substituted or unsubstituted, hydrocarbon group; Y.sub.1 and Y.sub.2 are independently hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, phosphorus, C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group, or an alkoxy group; and X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are independently one or more hydrogen atoms, a metal, a quaternary amine, or a hydrocarbon group having up to 6 carbon atoms, the hydrocarbon group being an alkyl group, an alkylene group, or an aromatic group, which may be branched or linear, and may optionally have one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur and phosphorus.

A method of manufacture and a fabric product that includes a concentrated formulation of photosensitizers having anti-microbial properties that are applied to outer surfaces of the fabric product. The inner surfaces of the fabric product are configured as a protective barrier for a user of the fabric product. Light activation of the photosensitizers protects the user against a range of pathogens, toxins, poisons, microbial particles and radiation particles incident on the outer surfaces of the fabric product.

A method of manufacture and a fabric product that includes a concentrated formulation of photosensitizers having anti-microbial properties that are applied to outer surfaces of the fabric product. The inner surfaces of the fabric product are configured as a protective barrier for a user of the fabric product. Light activation of the photosensitizers protects the user against a range of pathogens, toxins, poisons, microbial particles and radiation particles incident on the outer surfaces of the fabric product.

Methods and formulations for controlling parasitic insect infestations, such as human lice infestations, on textiles. In one embodiment, a method includes applying an anti-parasitic formulation to a textile in need of treatment. In one embodiment, an anti-lice formulation includes an effective amount of at least one spinosyn, such as spinosad. In one embodiment, the anti-lice formulation is at least one of an aqueous suspension and an aqueous solution. The anti-lice formulation may also include one or more additional active ingredients and one or more carriers. The anti-lice formulation has parasiticidal activity when applied to a textile. For example, in one embodiment the anti-lice formulation is formulated to produce 100% adulticidal, nymphicidal, and ovicidal activity when applied to a textile in need of treatment.

Methods and formulations for controlling parasitic insect infestations, such as human lice infestations, on textiles. In one embodiment, a method includes applying an anti-parasitic formulation to a textile in need of treatment. In one embodiment, an anti-lice formulation includes an effective amount of at least one spinosyn, such as spinosad. In one embodiment, the anti-lice formulation is at least one of an aqueous suspension and an aqueous solution. The anti-lice formulation may also include one or more additional active ingredients and one or more carriers. The anti-lice formulation has parasiticidal activity when applied to a textile. For example, in one embodiment the anti-lice formulation is formulated to produce 100% adulticidal, nymphicidal, and ovicidal activity when applied to a textile in need of treatment.

The present invention relates to a method of obtaining a solid material based on a polymer having its cellobiose units exhibiting the following characteristics: at least some of the cellobiose units have at least one carboxylic acid function attached to the C.sub.6 carbon, the other C.sub.6 carbons having a primary alcohol function attached thereto; and at least some of the cellobiose units have at least one of the two rings open between the C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 carbons, the other C.sub.2 and C.sub.3 carbons forming a ring and having an alcohol function attached thereto.

Such a material, advantageously a textile, may be used as a compress.