Thermal discomfort of respiratory protective devices

Abstract

Respiratory protective devices which would protect the wearer against noxious material and gases are not worn in many of the appropriate circumstances. They have been said to feel uncomfortable and hot. In the present study, six men and six women in a 25 degrees C room reported on facial discomfort, thermal sensation, and sweating while wearing three different types of half-facepiece respirators requiring tidal airflow. Skin temperature of the face was measured using a thermocouple taped to the nasolabial fold. The subjects reported that the face felt comfortable when the skin temperature was 34 degrees C or below. However, at skin temperatures above 34.5 degrees C, the face felt increasingly warm, uncomfortable, and sweaty. This finding is similar to that reported previously when subjects wore a half-facepiece respirator supplied continuously with warm, humid air. The conclusion is that thermal conditions of the face contributed to, and may possibly dominate, the discomfort of wearing respiratory protective devices.