Influence of a New Vapour Protective Clothing Layer on Physical Work Tolerance Times at 40 C Ambient Temperature

Abstract : Canadian Forces personnel must be able to sustain operations in an environment contaminated with nuclear, biological and/or chemical agents. Clothing has been designed that protects the individual from a hostile NBC environment. This clothing, however, impairs body heat loss due to its overall insulative qualities. A new vapour protective clothing ensemble is under development at the Defence Research Establishment Ottawa. This new clothing is thinner and more close-fitting to the body than the present NBC protective ensemble. The purpose of the present study, therefore, was to examine the influence of this new vapour protective clothing on physical work performance in a hot environment.