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Predictive criteria for burns from brief thermal exposures
G R Ripple1, K G Torrington, Y Y Phillips
1Department of Respiratory Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Washington, DC 20307-5100.
Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association
|March 1, 1990
Summary
Predicting burn injuries from thermal exposure is crucial for safety. Calorimetry is the best method, requiring 16.4 J/cm2 for second-degree burns, while clothing offers protection.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Thermal Physiology
- Injury Prevention
Background:
- Burns represent a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in both civilian and military populations.
- Accurate prediction of thermal injury is essential for developing effective preventive measures in hazardous environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate methods for quantifying heat transfer into skin to predict burn injury.
- To establish criteria for predicting second-degree burns from thermal exposure.
Main Methods:
- Calorimetry was identified as the most accurate method for measuring heat transfer into skin.
- A time-temperature integral method using a threshold of 1315 degrees C-second was assessed for predicting burns.
Main Results:
- Approximately 16.4 J/cm2 of heat transfer is required to induce second-degree burns on bare skin.
- A time-temperature integral of 1315 degrees C-second above body temperature correlates with burn-inducing heat transfer for brief exposures.
- Clothing provides a thermal protection factor of approximately 2.5 (24.4 J/cm2).
Conclusions:
- Calorimetry is the preferred method for quantifying thermal injury risk.
- Established criteria can aid in identifying hazardous occupational situations and informing burn prevention strategies.
- Understanding the protective effects of clothing is vital for assessing burn risk in various scenarios.