Use of ‘Dieldrin’ to protect Wool against Insect Attack

Abstract

THE problem of protecting wool from insect attack has received considerable attention in the past. Methods of temporary protection are available using insecticides such as silico-fluorides, DDT and ‘Gammexane’; but these are not fast to processes such as continued washing or dry-cleaning. Several types of chlorinated aromatic sulphonic acids are commercially available which combine with wool from the dye-bath to give a satisfactory permanent result¹. The industrial application of such methods has been limited, due probably to the fact that the amounts required (at least 1 per cent of the weight of wool) can result in a treatment which is considered to be too expensive.