Influence of cold thermal environment on core temperature, blood pressure and heart rate

Abstract

Severe cold exposure is a significant risk factor in the frozen food industry, influencing the health and safety of employees. The objective of this work is to verify the influence of the severe cold exposure, using personal protective equipment similar to those used in industry,on physiological parameters such as blood pressure, heart rate and core temperature. Twelve non-acclimatized male volunteers (mean +/- SD) were selected: age 24 +/- 3.09 years and exposed for 60 minutes in a climatic chamber at -20 degrees C with protective clothing. During the exhibition, they simulated activities usually developed in the frozen industry such as ordering boxes on shelves. Core temperature was recorded through intra-abdominal temperature using an Equivital Ingestible Tablet Sensor (telemetry thermometer). The results showed increases in systolic blood pressure and heart rate, moments after the end of severe cold exposure. On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure showed on average a decrease 6 mmHg. Core temperature, despite a decrease in the initial minutes of exposure, increased by an average of 0.28 degrees C by the end of the trial. It was concluded that clothing and physical activity increase core temperature even in extreme cold situations. Therefore, consideration of these parameters should be the starting point for an adequate evaluation and management of risks of work in these circumstances.