Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism · Oct 28, 2021
Initial stay times for uncompensable occupational heat stress in young and older men: a preliminary assessment
By Notley S.R., Akerman A.P., Kenny G.P.
During uncompensable occupational heat stress, heat-mitigation controls are required to prevent core temperature exceeding recommended limits (≥38 °C). However, the initial stay time before employing controls remained unknown. We estimated these times for moderate-intensity work at 26, 28, 30, and 32 °C wet-bulb globe temperatures (WBGT) in 50 young (18-30 years) and older (50-70 years), non-heat acclimatized men. Initial stay time was 111 min at 26 °C WBGT and declined exponentially to 44 min at 32 °C WBGT. Novelty: We provide estimates of the moderate-intensity work duration before heat-mitigation is required in wet-bulb globe temperatures between 26-32 °C for young and older, non-heat acclimatized men.