Evaluation of a carbon dioxide personal cooling device for workers in hot environments

This study tested the effectiveness of a carbon dioxide cooling device in reducing heat strain for workers in a hot and humid environment. Ten participants completed two trials in an environment of 30 degrees C WBGT (75% relative humidity) with a novel liquid carbon dioxide cooling shirt (CC) or no cooling (NC) in a randomized order. Mean time-weighted workload for each individual equaled 465 W (400 Kcals. h(-1)). In the CC condition, the work time was significantly increased by 32% (97 +/- 36 min) compared with NC (74 +/- 26 min) (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in mean skin temperature over the trials. Rectal temperature (T(re)) was significantly different after 50 min (p < 0.05). Mean heart rate, the delta T(re) increase rate, and heat storage at 55 min (last point with n = 8) were significantly lower in CC (p < 0.05). Overall heat storage was 54 +/- 41 W and 72 +/- 40 W for CC and NC, respectively (p < 0.05). Participants also indicated favorable subjective responses for CC vs. NC (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that this novel cooling device would effectively attenuate heat strain and increase work productivity for personnel working in a hot and humid environment. Practical aspects of use such as cost, convenience, weight, cooling duration, and rise in ambient CO(2) concentration in confined spaces must also be considered.