WellGal

Optical brighteners make new uniform easy to see with NV, at night

Karen Peltier

Optical brighteners, which are commonly used in laundry detergents, are not only dangerous for airmen, because they make their uniforms easy to see by night vision equipment and in low-light environments, but they have serious health and environmental effects as well (e.g. skin sensitivity, reproductive issues, & developmental issues). Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force. Part of the public domain in

Optical brighteners in laundry detergent make the Airman Battle Uniform more detectable by night vision equipment and more visible in a low-light environment of any kind, by reflecting more of any available light Airmen must wash the ABUs with detergent that does not contain optical brightners. (U.S. Air Force photo illustration)