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Physiological and Biophysical Properties of a Semipermeable Attached Hood to a Chemical Protective Garment


Pages: 26    Published: Jan 1992


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Source: STP1133-EB


Abstract

An evaluation was done on a prototype 70-mil permeable hood integrated to a standard 90-mil chemical protective overgarment to verify its potential in reducing heat strain during continuous exercise. Each of 14 subjects (in two groups of seven) did treadmill exercise (heat production, M = 473 W) in six environments: at ambient air temperature (Ta) = 32°C/80 %rh/ V=l m·s-1 and 5m·s-1; T2 = 35°C / 50 %rh / V=1 m·s-1 and 5 m·s-1; and Ta = 43°C / 20 %rh / V=1 m·s-1 and 5 m·s-1. Rectal (Tre), heart rate, 3-site skin temperatures, and head temperature and dewpoint in the skin-air space underneath each hood were recorded continuously. Subjects exercised until Tre reached 39°C and/or heart rates were = 180 beats/min for 5 min. These end-points signified the endurance time limit for each subject. The 70-mil semipermeable hood integrated to a BDO gave no significant advantages compared to the standard BDO + butyl hood in reduction of heat strain, improvement in vapor permeation to a given thermal insulation, and overall extension of endurance times. Present use of a butyl hood with an appropriate respiratory mask is a preferable option because of the reduced thickness of the hood which offers augmented heat transfer at high wind speeds.


Keywords:
automatic dew point hygrometry, exercise, chemical protection, respiratory masks, heat stress, evaporation, heat transfer

Paper ID: STP19187S
Committee/Subcommittee: F23.96
DOI: 10.1520/STP19187S
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