Modelling the physiological strain and physical burden of chemical protective coveralls

Wen, ShuQin; Petersen, Stewart R.; McQueen, Rachel H.; Batcheller, Jane

doi:10.1080/00140139.2015.1051595

Cited by 13 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Contrary to our expectations, no significant differences in the cardiorespiratory variables analyzed between the ensembles were found (Figure 1 ). Previous studies (Baker et al, 2000 ; Dorman and Havenith, 2009 ; Wen et al, 2015 ) reported an increase of 10–20% in the physiological response (e.g., VO 2 ) with the use of different PPC. Other studies (Sköldström, 1987 ; Taylor et al, 2012 ; Lee et al, 2014 ) analyzed a greater increase (>20%) in structure firefighters when they used the self-contained breathing apparatus, due to the rise in weight (10–20 kg) of the ensemble (Lee et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

“…Gastrointestinal temperature was recorded throughout submaximal trials using a Jonah intestinal temperature capsule (VitalSense, Phillips Respironics, Bend, OR, USA) which was ingested at least 8 h before the beginning of trials (Wen et al, 2015 ). Temperature and humidity underneath the PPC were also measured (Termoregister TR-72U, T and D, Japan).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It seems clear that PPCs have to provide a specific protection and minimize subjects' thermal and physiological strain in order to avoid injuries and not limit their performance. There is considerable research regarding the effect of different PPC on the thermoregulatory response of structural firefighters (Sköldström, 1987 ; Smith and Petruzzello, 1998 ; Selkirk and McLellan, 2004 ; Holmér et al, 2006 ; Bruce-Low et al, 2007 ), chemical (Wen et al, 2015 ), military (Montain et al, 1994 ) and industry (Poirier et al, 2015 ) situations. This contrasts with the paucity of studies carried out with wildland firefighters.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of Different Personal Protective Clothing on Wildland Firefighters' Physiological Strain

et al. 2017

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Wildfire firefighting is an extremely demanding occupation performed under hot environment. The use of personal protective clothing (PPC) is needed to protect subjects from the thermal exposure. However, the additional use of PPC may increase the wildland firefighters' physiological strain, and consequently limit their performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of four different PPC on the physiological strain of wildland firefighters under moderate conditions (30°C and 30% RH). Eight active and healthy wildland firefighters performed a submaximal walking test wearing a traditional short sports gear and 4 different PPC. The materials combination (viscose, Nomex, Kevlar, P-140 and fire resistant cotton) used during the PPC manufacturing process was different. During all tests, to simulate a real scenario subjects wore a backpack pump (20 kg). Heart rate, respiratory gas exchange, gastrointestinal temperature, blood lactate concentration, perceived exertion and temperature and humidity underneath the PPC were recorded throughout tests. Additionally, parameters of heat balance were estimated. Wearing a PPC did not cause a significant increase in the subjects' physiological response. The gastrointestinal temperature increment, the relative humidity of the microclimate underneath the PPC, the sweat residue in PPC, the sweat efficiency, the dry heat exchange and the total clothing insulation were significantly affected according to the PPC fabric composition. These results suggest that the PPC composition affect the moisture management. This might be taken into account to increase the wildland firefighters' protection in real situations, when they have to work close to the flames.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of Different Personal Protective Clothing on Wildland Firefighters' Physiological Strain

et al. 2017

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“…However, the increase in core temperature was approximately twice as fast in PPE condition (0.028 ± 0.007°C min -1 ) compared to PPC (0.012 ± 0.004°C min -1 ) or SG (0.011 ± 0.004°C min -1 ). This occurred as a result of the combined effect of the increased metabolic heat production and the heat dissipation limitation associated with the use of PPE, which resulted in a marked situation of uncompensable heat stress ( Table 2 ) and provoked a significantly increased both T gi and T skin ( Figure 2 ) ( Sköldström, 1987 ; Montain et al, 1994 ; Smith et al, 1995 ; Bruce-Low et al, 2007 ; Wen et al, 2015 ; Fontana et al, 2017 ). This fact contributed substantially to reduce the test time to almost half when the subjects wore the PPE.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fractional Contribution of Wildland Firefighters’ Personal Protective Equipment on Physiological Strain

et al. 2018

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Activities performed by wildland firefighters are carried out wearing a personal protective equipment (PPE). Although the PPE protects workers from a wide variety of hazards, it may increase their physiological response and limit their performance. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the protective clothing (PPC) and the rest of the PPE elements (i.e., helmet, neck shroud, gloves, goggles, and mid-calf leather boots) on the wildland firefighters’ thermophysiological response during a moderate-intense exercise. Six male wildland firefighters performed, in a counterbalanced order, a 120 min graded exercise test wearing three different clothing configurations: (i) a traditional short sports gear (SG), (ii) a PPC, and (iii) a complete firefighters’ PPE. Trials were conducted on separate days at the same time of the day (12:00–15:00 h) and under climate-controlled conditions (∼30°C and ∼30% relative humidity). Heart rate, respiratory gas exchange, gastrointestinal and skin temperature, blood lactate concentration were recorded throughout the tests. Additionally, parameters of heat balance were estimated. Exercise time was shorter (p < 0.001) wearing the PPE (62.4 ± 13.3 min) than with the PPC (115.5 ± 5.0 min) and SG (118.2 ± 20.7 min). The increment of gastrointestinal temperature with the PPE (1.8 ± 0.3°C) was greater (p < 0.05) than the observed in PPC (1.2 ± 0.6°C) and SG (1.0 ± 0.2°C). The use of PPC increased (p < 0.05) subjects’ metabolic demand and skin temperature versus SG during the last 20 min of the test. The sweat retention in the PPE (1,045.7 ± 214.7 g) and PPC (978.3 ± 330.6 g) was significantly higher than that obtained in the SG (510.0 ± 210.0 g). Sweat efficiency decreased (p < 0.05) in the following order: PPE (45.6 ± 18.3%), PPC (64.3 ± 7.8%), and SG (79.3 ± 7.0%). These results highlight the importance of the PPE elements in the subjects’ thermal strain. The reduction in the sweat evaporation produced by the PPE, together with the ensemble mass caused a substantial increase in the subjects’ thermophysiological response. As a consequence the performance was reduced by ∼50%.

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“…In total, eight well-defined actions were performed by the participant. Next, fifteen healthy males completed four sessions of walking on a treadmill at 3.5 mph, 4% for 60 minutes in the four clothing ensembles (Wen et al, 2015). Impaired movement was quantified at 5-minute intervals by monitoring the subjective ratings provided by the participants of restriction to their arms and legs and their overall rating of perceived exertion (RPE).…”

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confidence: 99%

Modelling the physiological strain and physical burden of chemical protective coveralls

Cited by 13 publications

References 39 publications

Impact of Different Personal Protective Clothing on Wildland Firefighters' Physiological Strain

Impact of Different Personal Protective Clothing on Wildland Firefighters' Physiological Strain

Fractional Contribution of Wildland Firefighters’ Personal Protective Equipment on Physiological Strain

Qualitative and Quantitative Determination of Impaired Movement in Protective Clothing

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