Thermal Physiology + The Environment
This article explores various temperature indices used to assess human heat stress. Temperature alone is a poor index for human survival- other environmental factors must be considered. The distinction is not academic. As climates change, both temperature and humidity levels are rising in many locations. Understanding the interaction between all environmental factors is crucial for safety and survival.
Researchers consistently find cooling vests increase work tolerance time, sometimes by substantial margins. This post explores key studies quantifying human performance increases when wearing cooling vests under a variety of working conditions.
Heat impacts our work, our performance, and our comfort. It’s a constant presence every summer (and increasingly common in other seasons), yet we rarely stop to think about what heat actually it. This article is the first of a two-part series that explores the physics of thermodynamics in a practical way that won’t fry the brain.
Extreme temperatures affect worker productivity. This article describes how people respond to extreme heat in the workplace and the negative effects high workplace temperature has on personal income, company profits, and economic performance.
Thermal Physiology 101 and 102 posts discuss the basics of human thermoregulation and human thermal limits. Those articles focus on the dangers of acute heat exposure, such as heat stroke. In this article, we explore physiological impacts of long term, chronic heat exposure.