Effects of Local Cooling on Heat Strain in the Hot Environment -On the Trunk Region-

This study was to determine the effect of cooling part of the trunk without harm for the health. The results provide basic data for the development of clothing which could increase work efficiency and reduce body strain in hot environment. Eight males took part in the study. The experiment was conducted in a climate-chamber controlled with $37{\pm}1^{\circ}C,\;50{\pm}5%R.H$. The trunk was divided into six areas to be cooled: head, neck, chest, abdomen, the upper back, the lower back. According to preceding studies, permissible safety cooling limits of skin temperature, of each part of the trunk for four hours cooling were $25^{\circ}C$ on the head, $20^{\circ}C$ on the neck, $27^{\circ}C$ on the chest, $25^{\circ}C$ on the abdomen, $20^{\circ}C$ on the upper back, $20^{\circ}C$ on the lower back. So cooling temperatures of each region set up temperatures above mentioned. In conclusion, the head, the neck and the upper back cooling could reduce sweating amount, rectal temperature and heart rates and reduce the heat stress of workers exposing in the hot environment by decreased subjective sensations of heat and comfort. Thus, it was concluded that effectiveness of cooling among the trunk was best on the head and the neck.