Physiological strains in hot-humid conditions while wearing disposable protective clothing commonly used by the asbestos removal industry

• Published in: Ergonomics Vol. 36; no. 10; p. 1241
• Main Authors: Ohnaka, T, Tochihara, Y, Muramatsu, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.10.1993
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Asbestos - adverse effects; Asbestosis - prevention & control; Body Temperature Regulation - physiology; Disposable Equipment; Exercise Test; Heart Rate - physiology; Heat Exhaustion - physiopathology; Hot Temperature - adverse effects; Humans; Humidity - adverse effects; Male; Protective Clothing; Reference Values; Workload
• ISSN: 0014-0139
• DOI: 10.1080/00140139308967990

The purpose of this study is to investigate workers' responses to work in hot-humid conditions while wearing protective clothing commonly used by the asbestos removal industry, and to evaluate the effects of resting between work bouts in a cool environment on the physiological strain. Seven male students wearing impermeable protective clothing and air masks were exposed to the following conditions for 100 min on separate days: (1) hot conditions (35 degrees C/85%RH), (2) cool conditions (20 degrees C/85%RH), and (3) hot/cool conditions (working in hot conditions and resting in cool conditions). After 12 min rest, the subjects worked on an ergometer (70 Watts) for 18 min. This experimental schedule was repeated three times under each environmental condition. Rectal temperature (Tre), heart rate (HR), sweat rate (SR) and discomfort sensation were recorded. Two of the subjects were not able to complete the experiment in hot conditions. The increases in Tre and HR with time were not found in cool conditions. Although Tre increased in hot/cool conditions, it was almost half of that in hot conditions. Since HR did not return to the pre-work level during recovery in hot conditions, HR during work was accompanied by increases in HR at pre-work. HR during work in hot/cool conditions was higher than that in cool conditions, HR at pre-work, however, was almost the same as that in cool conditions because of rapid recovery. The means of SR in hot and hot/cool conditions were five and four times greater than that in cool conditions, respectively.