TLV IN COLD ENVIRONMENTS

1. The risks encountered during cold exposure are general body cooling or local cooling of parts of the body. 2. Measures of cold stress mus t account for the effects of climate, clothing and metabolic heat prod uction on heat balance. 3. The combined effect of air temperature, mea n radiant temperature, humidity and air velocity determines the coolin g power of the environment. 4. The cooling power can be easily convert ed into a required insulation value (IREQ) for whole body heat balance . 5. Extensive cooling of hands and feet may be a limiting factor, eve n when sufficient total insulation is provided. In addition the coolin g effect of wind on unprotected skin must be considered. 6. Recommenda tions regarding acceptable exposures can be expressed as lowest ambien t temperatures and time limits as function of available protection and activity level, with due attention to both general and local effects.