A comparison of physiological responses to two types of particle barrier, vapor permeable clothing ensembles

Chemical protective clothing (PC) use while working results in elevated rec tal temperatures (Tre) that limit work time. Particle barrier, vapor permea ble (PBVP) PCs allow workers to cool themselves by evaporating some sweat. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects on worker productivity of two types of PBVP suits, a Kleenguard(R) (PPPC) (Kimberly Clark), and a Tyvek(R) (PEPC) (DuPont) suit. Fifteen males in a repeated measures design performed four work tests consisting of a walk/arm curl combination at a t ime-weighted work rate of 1.0 L/min (300 kcal/hr), two in a wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) of 26 degrees C and two in a WBGT of 18 degrees C, with subjects wearing each suit once in each environment. No significant differe nce (p>.05) was observed between the suits at 18 degrees C WBGT, but a sign ificant difference was found (p<.05) between the suits, with the PPPC havin g a lower Tre in the WBGT=26 degrees C at the 80th, 100th, and 120th min, A significant difference (p<.05) was also seen in the 26 degrees C WBGT with the PPPC resulting in a lower heart rate (HR) at the 40th, 60th, 80th, 100 th, and 120th min and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) at the 75th, 90th, a nd 120th min. Additionally, a significant difference (p<.05) was seen betwe en PEPC and PPPC for Tre, delta Tre, mean skin temp (mTsk), delta mTsk, and HR, each regressed against time in the 26 degrees C WBGT Twelve of the 15 subjects also reported feeling cooler in the PPPC versus the PEPC in either WBGT environment.