Assessment of the Thermal Load Attributable to Protective Masks

Two studies were performed to quantify the thermoregulatory responses to mask wear during heat exposure with and without chemical protective (CP) clothing. A powered air-purifying respirator was worn in one study whereas a negative pressure respirator was worn in the second test. Results suggest that there is no measurable thermal load attributable to just a mask in the absence of CP clothing. Unmasked and masked results during wear of CP clothing differed for each mask type and did not clearly indicate a thermal effect of a mask. Additional findings suggest that the protective suit may be the greatest contributor to physiological thermal load during heat exposure. See ADA409494. Presented at Proceedings of the ECBC Scientific Conference on Chemical and Biological Defense Research (2001), held at the Marriott Hunt Valley Inn, Hunt Valley, MD on 6-8 March 2001.