Thermal Constraints Related to the Wearing of Protective Clothing. Body Ventilation by Fresh Air

In order to protect people in a contaminated environment, protective clothing is required. To facilitate heat release, an air-ventilated jacket has been developed and tested in three experiments. - The first one was carried out in the laboratory on four subjects wearing Nuclear, Bacteriological and Chemical clothing who were to perform light work for 8 hours (Tair: 45°C). The tolerance time was 32 minutes without ventilation, and more than 8 hours with body ventilation (200 L/min at 23°C). - The second one was carried out in the laboratory on 3 subjects wearing a “vinyl taped” suit that was completely impermeable to water vapor. The subjects walked on a treadmill, corresponding to 35 % of their VO₂max in a 35°C environment (30 % humidity). The tolerance time was 0 hours 29 minutes without ventilation, and 2 hours 01 minutes with body ventilation (200 L/min at 23°C). - The third one was carried out on 4 decontaminators wearing “vinyl taped” suits for work in a nuclear environment (air: 30°C, humidity: 50 %). The tolerance time was 39 minutes without ventilation, and 1 hour 38 minutes with body ventilation (200 L/min at 28°C). In conclusion: Body ventilation is an effective means for working in a hot environment for subjects wearing protective clothing.