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Measurement of Aerosols Optical Thickness of the Atmosphere using the GLOBE Handheld Sun Photometer
Published on: May 29, 2019
Modeling the wet bulb globe temperature using standard meteorological measurements
James C Liljegren1, Richard A Carhart, Philip Lawday
1Argonne National Laboratory, Decision and Information Sciences Division, Lemont, Illinois 60439-4832, USA. jcliljegren@anl.gov
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
|August 1, 2008
Summary
A new model estimates wet bulb globe temperature using standard weather data, crucial for protecting U.S. Army personnel from heat stress during hazardous material handling. This innovation improves safety in challenging environments.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Occupational Health
- Meteorology
Background:
- U.S. Army personnel require accurate wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) monitoring to prevent heat-related injuries.
- Protective gear worn during chemical munitions handling increases heat stress risk.
- Current outdoor WBGT measurement methods are often impractical and inaccurate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a WBGT model using only standard meteorological data.
- To provide continuous and accurate WBGT estimates for Army depots.
- To enhance worker safety in heat-exposed environments.
Main Methods:
- Developed a WBGT model integrating submodels for natural wet bulb and globe temperatures.
- Based model on fundamental heat and mass transfer principles.
- Utilized standard meteorological data readily available at depots.
Main Results:
- The model accurately estimates WBGT without site-specific parameters.
- Achieved accuracy better than 1 degree C compared to direct measurements.
- Validated against WBGT data from multiple Army depot locations.
Conclusions:
- The developed WBGT model offers a reliable solution for heat stress management.
- Enables continuous, accurate WBGT assessment using accessible meteorological data.
- Significantly enhances soldier and civilian worker safety at Army depots.
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