Evaluation of two types of cooling vests on physiological heat strain indices when wearing acid-resistant protective clothing in hot environment

Regards to the occurrence heat strain when using acid-resistant protective work clothing clothing in the workplace, this study aimed to determine performance of two types of cooling vests on heat strain indices in hot conditions when wearing acid-resistant protective clothing.

This experimental study was conducted on ten healthy male students in hot conditions (Ta = 40°C, RH= 25%) when they were wearied acid-resistant protective clothing. Each participant was contributed in three trials including without cooling vest (A) with ice gel cooling vest, (B) and phase change material paraffin (C). In each trials, participant was walked on tread mill for 90 min. The heart rate, oral temperature, skin temperatureswere measured in regular time. Findings: Data analysis in the A, B and C trials showed that the mean of heart rate, were 104. 0, 97. 2 and 97. 7 beat/min respectively, skin temperature were 37. 1 °C, 31. 1 °C and 33. 2 °C, respectively and oral temperature 36. 3 °C, 33. 0 °C and 34. 0 °C respectively. There were significant difference physiological اheat strain indices in B and C trials compared to A trial.

When using the acid-resistant work clothing, wearing the ice gel cooling vest (Spadana Model) and phase change material paraffin (Techkewl-7026 Model) can be used to reduce physiological heat strain indices.