title: Physiological evaluation of chemical protective suit systems (CPSS) in hot conditions.
abstract: This job-related experiment investigated physiological strain in subjects wearing impermeable chemical protective suit systems (CPSSs) weighing about 28 kg. Two types of CPSSs were studied: the self-contained breathing apparatus was carried either inside or outside the suit. Eight healthy and physically fit male firefighter instructors aged 32 to 45 years volunteered for the study. The test drill, performed at a dry, windless ta of 40 degrees C, was divided into 2 consecutive work sessions of 14.5 min (a 20-min rest between) including typical operational work tasks. Considerable thermal and maximal cardiovascular strain and intense subjective discomfort measured in the firefighters emphasize the need to limit working time in hot conditions to only 10-12 min while wearing CPSSs. The present results indicate that the exceptionally heavy physical load and psychological stress during operations in chemical emergencies must be considered in the assessment of the cardiovascular capacity of ageing firefighters using CPSSs.
authors.affiliation: Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland. raija.ilmarinen@ttl.fi
authors.forename: Raija
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ilmarinen
authors.forename: Harri
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lindholm
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koivistoinen
authors.forename: Petteri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Helistén
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001831:Body Temperature; D015386:Hazardous Substances; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006359:Heat Exhaustion / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011481:Protective Clothing; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013546:Sweating / Q000502:physiology; D014937:Work
chemical_list: D015386:Hazardous Substances