Effect of Air Blowing inside Isolated Hospital Clothing on Perceptual and Physiological Heat Strain in Laboratory Conditions

Abstract Heat stress is one of the most common complaints of health care employees who wear isolation gowns to protect themselves from biological agents, particularly during the warmer seasons. This study was conducted in climatic chamber to determine the influence of airflow within isolated hospital gowns on physiological-perceptual heat strain indices. The experiment was conducted in three stages: regular clothes, a impenetrable gown, and gown with air blowing at a temperature conditions of 27°C and 25% relative humidity. At each stage, physiological-perceptual responses data were recorded for a half-hour on a treadmill at a speed of km h− 2 and a slope of 0% activity at 5-minute intervals. There was a significant difference in mean scores for thermal discomfort and sweat sensation in both sexes when working in regular clothes, gowns, and gown with air blowing (P < 0.001). In women, the mean scores for thermal sensation, thermal discomfort, and sweat sensation reduced considerably (P < 0.001) in the gown and gown with air blowing in the amount of 10 and 12 cfm, but in males, there was a statistically significant difference between mean scores (P < 0.001) in the gown with air blowing at 12 and 14 cfm. Additionally, the mean heart rate, chest temperature, and temperature inside the gown were observed in women in 12 cfm air blowing, and the greatest mean temperature inside the gown, chest temperature, and the back temperature were observed in men in 14 cfm air blowing (P < 0.001). The usage of an air blower in isolated hospital clothes has been shown to influence physiological-perceptual parameters in men and women substantially. The existence of airflow in these gowns can improve safety, performance, and thermal comfort while also decreasing the risk of heat-related disorders.