Man's physiologic response to long-term work during thermal and pollutant stress

Metabolic, temperature, and cardiorespiratory responses of 19 healthy males, age range 18-30 yr for one group and 40-55 yr for another, were studied during 210 minutes submaximal work at 35% Vo2 max. The subjects were exposed to four different pollutant gas mixtures at two different temperatures, 25 degrees C and 35 degrees C (relative humidity 30%). The four gas mixtures were filtered air (FA), 50 ppm carbon monoxide in filtered air (CO), 0.24 ppm peroxyacetyl nitrate in filtered air (PAN), and a combination of all three mixtures (PANCO). In the CO exposure, the heart rate was significantly greater than that observed during FA conditions (P less than 0.05). Metabolic and thermoregulatory responses to long-term work were not different in the various pollutant environments. Significant decreases in stroke volume and increases in heart rate were observed during the course of the 25 degrees C exposures with no alteration in cardiac output. Heart rates were higher during 35 degrees C exposures while cardiac output remained at the same level with a consequent further reduction in stroke output.