International Journal of lndustrial Ergonomics, 3 (1988) 89-102 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam - Printed in The Netherlands 89 HEAT STRESS INDICES: A REVIEW PAPER Mohamed Youssef Beshir Modern Co. for Textile Industries, 10 TH of Ramadan City (Egypt) and Jerry D. Ramsey Texas Tech University, Industrial Engineering Dept., Lubbock, TX 79409 (U.S.A.) (Received January 18, 1987; accepted in revised form September 30, 1987) ABSTRACT This paper represents a review of the thermal indices commonly used for assessing heat stress conditions in an environment, e.g., Corrected Effective Temperature, New Effective Temperature, Heat Stress Index, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature and Wet Globe Temperature. The advantages and disadvantages of the indices are included, as well as an example of calculations and procedures required to determine the resulting values of each heat stress index. Separate sections for Programmed Hand Held Calculators, the Mean Equivalence Lines and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards are also provided in the paper. INTRODUCTION also considered potential major factors contributing to the changes occurring in human physiological response due to heat exposure, i.e., heat strain. There is a general agreement that a major criterion for evaluating the effectiveness and usefulness of a heat stress index is its correlation with heat strain (WHO, 1969; Peterson, 1970; Astrand et al., 1975). The major physiological responses to heat stress are increases in: (1) body temperature, (2) heart rate, and (3) sweat production (Wyndham and Heyns, A973; Belding, 1976). An ideal heat stress index which integrates all the climatic, physical, and personal factors into a single number and hence correlates them to one or more physiological response has not yet been found (Belding, 1970; D u k e s - D o b o s , 1976; Kuhlemeier and Wood, 1979; Beshir, 1981). How- Assessment of heat stress is most commonly presented in terms of a heat stress index. A heat stress index is a quantitative composite measure which integrates into a single number one or more of the thermal, a n d / o r physical, and personal factors affecting heat transfer between the person and the environment. Many heat stress indices have been developed and these can be classified as those based on: physical factors of the environment, thermal comfort assessment, "rational" heat balance equations, and physiological strain (Witherspoon and Goldman, 1974). In addition to the climatic and physical factors, personal factors such as: age, sex, physical fitness, health status, clothing, and acclimatization are 0169-8141/88/$03.50 © 1988 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. 90 ever, each of the available heat indices has some advantages that make it more appropriate for use in specific environmental conditions. Some of the available heat stress indices are useful for occupational and field measurements, while others are more accurate in predicting heat strain, and useful for research and laboratory studies. Heat stress indices also provide a necessary composite measure of the thermal environment which is required when considering human performance and worker safety (Hancock, 1987; Ramsey et al., 1983). The principal criteria for a recommended standard heat stress index for industrial use have been established by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH, 1972 and 1986). The purpose of this paper is to review the major heat stress indices reported in the literature. The advantages and disadvantages of each index have been summarized and a numerical example is given to demonstrate the procedures and calculations required to compute each of these indices. The Mean Equivalence Lines (MEL) (Wenzel, 1978), and the ISO standards for hot environments (ISO, 1983) are described in the paper. CORRECTED TURE (CET) EFFECTIVE globe temperature, so that the effective temperature is corrected for the radiant heat effects. The CET, therefore, combines the climatic factors: air temperature, humidity, air velocity, and radiation into a single reading. In measuring the CET of an environment, globe temperature (Tg); wet bulb temperature (Twb) and air velocity (v) values are required. The CET of the environment can be determined from a nomogram (Ellis et al., 1972; Kerslake, 1972). The advantages of the CET are its ability to integrate the main four climatic factors in a single reading (Goelzer, 1977); its simplicity and ease to use (WHO, 1969) and it is thought by some to be a useful index for engineers (Fuller and Smith, 1981). The disadvantages are its limited ability to allow for the effects of clothing and metabolic heat; different climates sharing the same CET value do not necessarily impose the same heat strain particularly below 40% rh (Goelzer, 1977); it underestimates the adverse effect of humidity and low air movement especially when the environmental conditions approach the tolerance limit (Ramanathan and Belding, 1973) and the updating findings cannot be assimilated into the scale to extend its scope or improve its accuracy (WHO, 1969). TEMPERA- Bedford (1946) modified the effective temperature scales (ET) developed by Houghten and Yaglou (1923) and called them the Corrected Effective Temperature scales (CET). The ET scales were based on equivalent subjective estimates of thermal sensation of the thermal environment with different combinations of air temperature, air velocity, and humidity. All conditions having the same thermal sensation were grouped together under the same "Effective Temperature" (ET) which is the air temperature of a still saturated environment (i.e., zero air velocity and 100% relative humidity (rh)). Two ET scales were developed by Houghten and Yaglou (1923): (1) the normal scale, which is applied for men wearing ordinary summer clothing, and (2) the basic scale, which is applied for men stripped to the waist. The modifications of the ET scales as suggested by Bedford (1946) were to replace the air temperature by the SKIN WETTEDNESS (w) Gagge (1937) defined the skin wettedness as the fraction of the skin that is wet, and derived it from the skin evaporative loss (Esk) according to the following equation: Esk = h e w ( P~k - ~ ) (1) where E~k = total skin evaporative loss (W/m2), h e = evaporative heat transfer coefficient ( W / m 2°C), w = skin wettedness (no dimension), P~k = saturated vapor pressure at T~k (mmHg), Pa = saturated vapor pressure at Ta (mmHg), T~k = skin temperature ( o C), and Ta = air temperature ( o C). The skin wettedness (w) is calculated from the ratio between the total skin evaporative loss (E~k) and the maximum evaporative loss from a fully wetted skin surface (Emax) (i.e., w=Esk/Emax) (Gagge, 1937). When Esk is defined as the evaporative heat loss necessary for the regulation of body temperature (i.e., heat storage ( S ) = 0), 91 then skin wettedness w x 100 has been defined by Belding and Hatch (1955) as the Heat Stress Index (HSI) (see Heat Stress Index section below). The minimum value of w is 0.06 when there is skin diffusion but no sweating, and the maximum value of w is 1.0 when the skin is fully covered by sweat (Gagge, 1981). It has been reported that the sweating efficiency is related to the skin wettedness level, and that the decline in intensity of sweating is linked to maximal inefficient sweat drippage before the onset of hidromeiosis (Candas et al., 1983). NEW EFFECTIVE TEMPERATURE (ET*) Gagge et al. (1971) developed the New Effective Temperature scale (ET*). The ET* is similar to the ET scale, but it uses as a reference an environment at 50% rh. The ET* is defined as the dry bulb temperature at 50% rh in which the total heat exchange from the skin surface would be the same as in the actual environment (Gonzalez et al., 1978). Quantitatively, ET* is the solution (by iteration) of the following equation (Gagge and Gonzalez, 1973): ET* + w[2.2hc/(h~+h~)](O.5P~T.-Pw) = To (2) where E T * = new effective temperature ( ° C ) ; w = skin wettedness (no dimension); h c = convective heat transfer coefficient and is a function of air velocity ( W / m 2°C). It may be evaluated by the following equation (Nishi, 1977): h~ = 8.6v °53 (3) h~ = linear r a d i a t i o n exchange coefficient ( W / m 2° C). Its value is rather constant at normal temperature range and is approximately 4.7 W / m 2 ° C (Nishi, 1977); P f f T * = saturation vapor pressure at ET* (mmHg). It can be determined from a psychrometric chart or by Antoine's formula (Nishi, 1977): P~T* = exp[18.669 - 4030.18/(ET* + 235)] mmHg of the net thermal effect of convection and radiation. To is determined from the air and mean radiant heat temperatures according to the following equation (Gagge, 1981): TO= ( h r T r + hcTa)/(h ~+ hc) Tr = mean radiant temperature ( o C) (see Table 1). Approximate values for w and h~ can be assumed, however, accurate determination of these variables requires the measurements of skin temperature (Tsk), clothing temperature (T~I), oxygen consumption (VO 2), and the subject's body weight and height. It has been reported that ET* can be applied in hyper and hypo environments (i.e., high altitudes and lower than sea level as in underground mines, respectively) (Nishi and Gagge, 1977). The ET* scale is useful for comfort and thermal sensation studies. The advantages of ET* are: it is a good indicator of physiological strain and warmth discomfort (Gonzalez et al., 1978); it provides a theoretically accurate estimate of human heat transfer (Gagge et al., 1971), and it is more comparable to our own every day experience than the ET scale (Gagge and Gonzalez, 1973). The disadvantages of the ET*, however, are: it is difficult to apply and requires complicated instruments, measurements and computations; it is not suitable for occupational studies; it assumes a normally clothed sedentary human subjects and its usefulness is limited for exposure times shorter than an hour (Gagge et al., 1971). HEAT STRESS INDEX (HSl) Belding and Hatch (1955) developed the Heat Stress Index (HSI) (initially called the Belding and Hatch Index (BHI)). The HSI is calculated from the equation: Heat Stress Index (HSI) = Required evaporative heat ( Ereq ) Maximum evaporative heat (Ema x ) (4) Pw = ambient vapor pressure at Ta (mmHg); and To = operative temperature (°C). It is a single temperature figure that is physically representive (5) X 100 (6) where E r e q = evaporative heat loss required to maintain the body in thermal equilibrium (i.e., S = 0), and E m a x = maximum evaporative capacity of the climate. 92 TABLE 1 HSI equations and coefficients (adapted from Ramsey and Chat, 1983) Coefficients ( K ) R = K R (T r - 3 5 ) C = K c v0.6 ( T a - 3 5 ) E ...... = K F t,0.6 ( 4 2 - P~) Shorts Standard clothing Standard plus coat 12.8(11.0) 13.6 (11.7) 27.1 (23.3) 7.7 (6.6) 8.1 (7.0) 16.3 (14.0) 6.2 (5.3) 6.5 (5.6) 13.0 (11.2) rr = r~ +1.8,0s (Tg - r~l) Ere q M + R + C HSI = ( Ereq / E m a x ) X 100 = Where T~, = air temperature ( o C), Tg = Vernon globe temperature ( o C), Tr = mean radiant temperature which can be estimated from Tg ( o C), t, = air velocity ( m / s ) , Pw = water vapor pressure of ambient air (mmHg), M = metabolic rate of body heat production (W (kcal/h)), R = radiant heat exchange (W (kcal/h)), C = convective heat exchange (W (kcal/h)), Ere q = an expression of stress in terms of requirement for evaporation of sweat (W (kcal/h)), and Em~,x = m a x i m u m evaporative heat loss which can be achieved at a given P,, and r, (W (kcal/h)). Table 1 (Witherspoon and Goldman, 1974; Ramsey and Chat, 1983) summarizes the equations and coefficients needed to calculate HSI. The index (and coefficients in Table 1) assumes a standard man (i.e., 70 kg weight, 1.7 m height, and 1.8 m 2 body surface area), dressed in shorts and gym shoes, experiencing a skin temperature of 35 ° C (95 ° F), and uniformly wetted with sweat. If the workers has a surface area (A) greatly different from that of the standard man, the coefficients in Table 1 can be corrected if multiplied by A/1.8. The coefficients for shorts and standard clothing have been experimentally validated and the coefficients for standard clothing plus coat are an extrapolation of these values (Ramsey and Chat, 1983). Different authors, however, recommended slightly different values for these coefficients. Some investigators (Vogt et al., 1982) concluded that 3 6 ° C is a more accurate estimate of mean skin temperature for use in heat transfer equations, than the 35 ° C assumed by Belding and Hatch (1955) for the HSI. K a m o n and Rayn (1981) modified the HSI by assuming 36 ° C for the mean skin temperature and called their index the Effective Heat Strain Index (EHSI). The maximum sweat production that can be maintained by the average man through an eight hour period is assumed to be one liter per hour, which is equivalent to an evaporite heat loss of about 698 W (600 kcal/h). Therefore, the value of E m a x c a n n o t exceed this value of 698 W. An HSI of 100 was proposed by Belding and Hatch (1955) as the m a x i m u m that a healthy young adult male can tolerate for eight hour work shift, 70-90 indicates very severe heat strain, 40-60 represents moderate to severe heat strain, and 10-30 represents a mild to moderate heat strain. In addition to the analytical procedure (i.e., using the equations given in Table 1 to determine the HSI values, nomographs are also available as an aid to determine E r e q a n d E .... (McKarns and Brief, 1966). Based on the values of E r e q and E ..... the allowable exposure times (AET) in the hot environments for a 1 ° C ( 2 ° F ) rise in body temperature, and the minimum recovery times (MRT) in a cooler rest location for restoration of normal body temperature were suggested by McKarns and Brief (1966). It was assumed that the average man can tolerate a I ° C body temperature rise and that his temperature will rise I ° C for each 73.25 W gained. The following equations evaluate allowable exposure and minimum recovery times in minutes: A E T = (73.25 × 60)/(Ere M R T = (73.25 × 6 0 ) / ( E q - Emax) . . . . -- Ereq ) (7) (8) The advantages of the .HSI are: it permits estimation of tolerance time and required resting time (Goelzer, 1977); it is useful in designing and evaluating the efficiency of environmental control systems (Goelzer, 1977); it can be continuously 93 improved in scope and accuracy as fresh information on heat exchange is acquired (WHO, 1969); it differentiates between thermal conditions in correct order of physiological strain (Belding and Hatch, 1955) and it has been used widely and successfully as a tool for evaluating hot woi'k-environments (Ramsey and Beshir, 1987). The disadvantages are: it is difficult to apply to variable or intermittent heat exposure (Goelzer, 1977); it is validated only on young acclimatized when (Goelzer, 1977); it involves difficult calculations and requires more instruments than several other indices (Goelzer, 1977); it underestimates the adverse effect of low wind speeds and hot humid environments (Ramanathan and Belding, 1973) and it does not correctly differentiate between heat gained from work and that gained by convection or radiation (Ramsey and Beshir, 1985). WET BULB (WBGT) GLOBE TEMPERATURE Yaglou and Minard (1957) developed the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index for use in controlling heat casualties at military training centers. It was not based on analysis of a new set of prime data but was, in fact, derived from and as a means for estimating the Corrected Effective Temperature (CET). The W B G T combines the effect of the four main climatic factors contributing to heat stress: air temperature, humidity, air velocity and radiation. Air temperature is measured directly by the dry bulb temperature (Tab), while the combined effect of humidity and air velocity is measured by the natural wet bulb temperature (Tnwb) and radiation is measured by the globe temperature (Tg). The W B G T at one time was calculated according to the following equation (AIHA, 1975): W B G T = 0.7Tnwb + 0 . 3 [ ( T g - TdblK + TdU] (91 indoor, night or sunless day exposure, K equals 1 (Goelzer, 1977). W B G T can be measured either by the method recommended by N I O S H (1972) or by using an integrated electronic instrument. 1. NIOSH Method N I O S H (1972) recommended the W B G T index as the standard heat stress index for industrial use. This recommendation was based on the principal criteria established by N I O S H (1972) for a recommended standard heat stress index. N I O S H also suggested the instruments and procedures for measuring W B G T so that it could be used as the parameter in determining the environmental conditions for implementation of work practices. The standard tree for measuring WBGT, as suggested by NIOSH, consists of a tripod, a mercury-in-glass thermometer to measure Tdh, a 15 cm (6 in.) globe with mercury-in-glass thermometer placed in the center of the globe to measure Tg and a mercuryin-glass thermometer with its bulb covered by a clean wetted wick to measure Tnwb. The wick is immersed in a 125 ml flask filled with distilled water. NIOSH selected values for K in eqn. (9) equal to 1 and 2 / 3 for indoor and outdoor heat exposures, respectively. Consequently, N I O S H recommended the following equations to calculate the WBGT: For indoor exposure, or outdoor exposure with no solar load: W B G T = 0.7T, wb + 0.3Tg For outdoor sunlit exposure: W B G T = 0.7Tnwb + 0.2Tg + 0.1Tdb (11) In continuous heat exposure, the time-weighted average W B G T values are calculated on an hourly basis, and in a two-hour basis in intermittent heat exposure. The time-weighted average W B G T is determined by the equation (NIOSH, 1972): Av. WBGT For outdoor exposures with solar load, the value of K is related to the clothing or the type of skin, e.g., 0.75 for green or gray outer clothing, 0.65 for military khaki uniform, and 0.45 for clean white clothes. For seminude, K equals 0.82 for negroid, 0.78 for Hindu, and 0.60 for white skin. For (10) WBGTlXtl+WBGT2×t2+'"+WBGT"×tn tl + t2 + ... + t n (12) where: W B G T D W B G T 2. . . . . WBGT. are calculated values of W B G T for various work or rest areas occupied during the total time period; and 94 t 1, t 2. . . . . t, are the elapsed times in minutes spent in the corresponding areas which are determined by a time study. The WBGT index, its measuring techniques and calculation procedures as recommended by NIOSH (1972), were later supported by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advisory committee (Ramsey, 1975), and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH, 1987). The original NIOSH criteria document (1972) was revised to reflect acclimatized versus unacclimatized workers and exposure limits versus alert limits (NIOSH, 1986). Values for ceiling limits were given in the revised criteria. Following these recommendations, many investigators have used the WBGT index for evaluating heat stress (Ramsey and Beshir, 1987). The WBGT has been applied for evaluating heat stress in many industrial plants, e.g., aluminum reduction plants (Horvath, 1976), steel plants (Parker and Pierce, 1984; Minard, 1976), glass container plants (Polhemus, 1976), and chemical plants (Rodgers, 1976) as well as in underground mines (Ramsey et al., 1986). Recently, the WBGT index has been adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO, 1982) as the international standard heat stress index. The WBGT has been used for assessing the effects of workplace thermal conditions on safe work behavior (Ramsey et al., 1983). 2. Integrated electronic instruments Integrated electronic instruments for measuring W B G T are also commercially available (e.g., Reuter Stokes models RSS-211, 212, 213, 214 and 217, Yellow Springs Heat Stress Instrument, and Vista Scientific Corporation Heat Stress Monitor). Such instruments provide a direct or digital readout of WBGT, and for some models individual thermal measurements as Tdb, Twb, Tg and v can be obtained as well as an access to a self contained data logger for loading directly to a printer or a computer. The stabilization time required for the integrated electronic instruments is usually around 5 rain since all the sensors are resistance thermometers and the globe has a small diameter (about 4.2 cm) (Kuehn and MacHattie, 1975). The advantages of WBGT are: it is simple to measure and calculate heat stress (Astrand et al., 1975; ACGIH, 1987); the need for measuring each climatic the need for measuring each climatic factor separately (i.e., air temperature, humidity and radiation) in order to determine the W B G T provides information which are useful for evaluating efficiency of environmental control systems if coversion factors between wet-bulb and natural wet-bulb temperatures are used (Ramsey and Chai, 1983); air velocity does not have to be measured separately (Dukes-Dobos, 1976; Goelzer, 1977); it is a reliable indicator and has a reasonable degree of precision (Ramsey, 1976); it is practical for industrial purposes (Astrand et al., 1975); it apparently correlates well with the resulting physiological reactions due to heat exposure (Ramsey, 1976; Onkaram et al., 1980); it has proved to be of value in eliminating adverse effects of heat at military training centers (Onkaram et al., 1980); its applicability in industrial use has been proven (Horvath, 1976; Minard, 1976; Polhemus, 1976; Rodgers, 1976) and the integrated electronic instruments have small size, require short stabilization time, and are simple to use (Kuehn and MacHattie, 1975). The disadvantages of the WBGT are: the WBGT estimate gets progressively poorer under low humidity conditions (Ramsey, 1976; Goelzer, 1977); the same W B G T value does not have consistent physiological meaning independent of the climatic factors (Ramanathan and Belding, 1973; AIHA, 1975; Goelzer, 1977); higher air temperatures and work rates would exaggerate these inconsistencies (Ramanathan and Belding, 1973); it does not consider the metabolic workload (Ramsey and Beshir, 1985); the standard tree is bulky, awkward, and requires 20 min estabilization period (Astrand et al., 1975; Onkaram et al., 1980); the integrated electronic instruments have high initial cost and sensitive to electronic failure (Ciriello and Snook, 1977; Beshir et al., 1982); the electronic circuit a n d / o r the plastic case of the integrated instrument may be damaged by the high temperatures that would be experienced if the instrument were left exposed for a long period (Parker and Pierce, 1984) and when NIOSH determined that the studies of Lind (1963) provided the best basis for establishing a heat standard, the environmental conditions were measured in Lind's study by the ET scale and NIOSH declared ET to be impractical and substituted W B G T for it, 95 Study therefore, W B G T is a secondary measure and ET was the primary unit (Botsford, 1976). WET GLOBE TE M PER A T U R E Botsford (1971) developed the Wet Globe Temperature (WGT) which is measured with a Botsball (BB) thermometer. The W G T combines the effect of the four basic climate factors: air temperature, humidity, air velocity, and radiation into a single reading. The main concept considered in developing this index was to design a simple device that exchanges heat with the thermal environment in a manner qualitatively similar to the human. The Botsball (BB) consists of a dial thermometer with its metal probe inserted in a plastic tube which is surrounded by an aluminum tube. The heat sensor at the end of the metal probe is placed in the center of a 6 cm (2~ in.) diameter hollow copper sphere connected to the plastic and aluminum tubes. The copper sphere is painted black and covered with a double layer of black cloth which is saturated with water. The BB has a water reservoir of about 7 cc capacity. If the BB will be in continuous use for long periods, a siphon into an auxiliary water source (e.g., the plastic bottle furnished with each Botsball) should be used in order to prevent the dryness of the cloth which causes inaccurate measurements. The stabilization time for the BB is approximately 5 min when the temperature differential between subsequent readings is small ( 5 - 1 0 ° C ) , but may require 15 rain when this differential is large ( > 15°C) (Beshir et ai., 1982). A summary for the advantages and disadvantages of the W G T and the W B G T observed by numerous investigators and a comprehensive comparison between the two indices has been reported (Beshir, 1981). Since N I O S H (1972) recommended the W B G T as a standard index for industrial use, and because of the potential advantages of the Botsball, several researchers have studied the relationship between the two indices indoor (Brief and Confer, 1971; Sundin et al., 1972; Mutchler and Vecchio, 1977; Ciriello and Snook, 1977; Beshir et al., 1982; Parker and Pierce, 1984) and outdoor (Onkaram et al., 1980). Predictive equations with high coefficient of correlation (ranging from 0.913 to 0.980) No. RegressionEquation No. of Obs. WBGT Range °C r (°C) O Beshir, e t . . l . r'l Clde~lo & Snook ~, Mutchler & Vsc©hio O 13489 W B G T = 1.01 W G T + 2.60 0 - 37 0.956 210 W B G T = 1.07 W G T + 0.80 16 - 4 8 0.948 1023 W B G T = 1.05 W G T + 1.14 11 - 4 2 0.913 W G T = 0.958 W B G T - 2.52 21 - 41 0.957 W B G T = 0.0212 ( W G T ) 2 + 0.192 ( W G T ) + 9.5 18 - 56 0.976 Bdel & Conler 34 Sundin, et.al. 379 -- Rsmsey & Beshir W B G T = W G T + 3.00 --- Rsmsey W B G T = 1.1 W G T O 5O // / W B G T = 1.1 W G T - ~ I ~ . / / & / ~ 40 W B G T = W G T + 3.0 O ov I- 30 m 2O / A 10 o I ,o ,'o 1o I ,o 5'0 W G T (° C) Fig. 1. Relationships between W B G T and WGT. for the relationship between the W B G T and W G T have been reported. All the reported predictive equations are linear except in one study (Sundin et al., 1972). Ramsey et al. (1982) suggested that as a simple approximation for indoor measurements, the W B G T value can be obtained by adding 3 ° C to the Botsball reading. G o l d m a n (1981) suggested adding 1 ° C to the Botsball to approximate the W B G T value for outdoor measurements. Based on the relationships between the two indices which have been reported by the previous investigators, a simple relationship was suggested for indoor use (Ramsey, 1987): W B G T = 1.1 W G T ° C (13) Figure 1 summarizes the relationships between W B G T and W G T reported in several individual studies. Any of these equations are basically valid, but the last two ( W B G T = W G T + 3 . 0 ° C or W B G T = 1.1 W G T ) are much simpler to remember and use and could be argued to be as valid as any of the individual studies. A word of caution is in order, however, since this correlation implies a moderate level of both humidity and radiant heat; 96 at both high and low levels for either of these two variables the well behaved relationship shown in Fig. 1 may not be valid. For example, environments with moderate heat, high humidity and no radiant heat, have WBGT and W G T values which are almost equal (Ramsey, 1987). Recently, a NIOSH Workshop on Recommended Heat Stress Standards (NIOSH, 1980) concluded that "the primary heat stress index to be used for monitoring the industrial environment should be the WGT, with the alternative of using the WBGT, the ET or equivalent". The W G T was suggested as a basic index because of its simplicity and ease of use in industry. The primary purpose for using a single and simple index would be to establish a point at which some other more detailed observations must be made. The advantages of W G T are: the Botsball is a practical, rugged, simple and reliable device (Beshir et al., 1982); the instrument's small size provides for non-invasive placement near the worker and enhances accurate assessment of the environment (Beshir et al., 1982); the required stabilization time is relatively short (Ciriello and Snook, 1977; Beshir et al., 1982); it combines the effects of the four main climatic factors into a single reading (Gershoni, 1979); it requires no calculations (Ramsey and Beshir, 1987); it is less expensive than the WBGT standard tree or the integrated electronic instruments (Onkaram et al., 1980) and high correlations between W G T and other indices, especially WBGT, have been reported (Ramanathan and Belding, 1973; Botsford, 1976; Beshir, 1981; Lee and Ramsey, 1987). The disadvantages of W G T are: correlation between W G T and physiological responses to heat exposures has not been fully established (Ramanathan and Belding, 1973); although predictive relationship between W G T and WBGT have been developed (Beshir et al., 1982; Lee and Ramsey, 1987), some combinations of environment can result in large errors (Ciriello and Snook, 1977); when the wick is dry, erroneous measurements will be obtained (Beshir et al., 1982); lack of positive adjustment for flow rate and wick wettedness (Beshir et al., 1982); the small size of the globe resulted in a much higher sensitivity to air velocity than man exhibits (Hatch, 1973) and only an integrated measure of the environment is obtainable, rather than individual climatic factors which may be useful in further in-depth analysis (Ramsey and Beshir, 1987). PROGRAMMED HAND HELD CALCULATORS Programmed hand held calculators are increasingly being used for evaluating occupational environments. The heat stress indices utilizing such calculators, are those which are well correlated to human physiological responses but have complicated computations such as the New Effective Temperature (Nishi, 1977) and the Heat Stress Index (Kamon and Ryan, 1981). For example, instead of applying the tedious computations suggested by Gagge and Gonzalez (1973) to determine the value of ET*, the programmed hand held calculator developed by Nishi (1977) to determine this value can be used. This calculator performs those boring computations and needs as input data: Za, Twb (or rh), To, h~, h r, metabolic rate, human mechanical efficiency, effective clothing insulation and mean skin temperature. Programmed calculators provide the user not only with the heat stress level, but may also provide work practice information such as the time limits of exposure and the rest period required. Computer programs have been also developed for determination of some heat stress indices (Gagge, 1973; Chai, 1981; Cvejanovich, 1983). The use of programmed hand held calculators and computers for assessment of occupational heat and thermal indices is expected to be more widely practiced in the future. MEAN EQUIVALENCE LINES (MEL) Influencing factors of heat ~tress can be classified as climatic variables and non-climatic variables. Climatic variables consist of: air temperature, air velocity, humidity and radiant heat while non-climatic variables include: activity level (i.e., heat production in the body) and thermal resistance of the clothing. In order to assess the heat stress effects, it is necessary to know how far the various influencing factors compensate each other, or in other words, what combinations of the variables produce equal effect. 97 Wenzel (1978) investigated the reactions of a number of men to systematically varied combinations of all the climatic and non-climatic variables mentioned above, to drive those combinations which produce equal effects on various physiological reactions and to check the statements of all the indices in use. The author developed the Mean Equivalence Lines (MEL) which are represented in psychrometric charts and describe combinations of climatic and non-climatic conditions in which equal heart rates as well as equal rectal and skin temperatures would be reached. Wenzel (1978) reported that the combinations of ambient temperatures and humidities that were found to be equivalent under the given conditions of physical activity corresponded particularly well with the Index of Physiological Effect (Robinson et al., 1945). There was also good agreement with the Predictive 4 hour Sweat Rate index (McArdle et al., 1947). The combinations corresponded with other indices (i.e., HSI, ET and WBGT) only within limited ranges of climate depending upon work level. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR STANDARDIZATION (ISO) STANDARDS The ISO has recently issued a standard for hot environments. ISO (1982) specifies the required measurements and procedures for the estimation of the heat stress on working man, based on the W B G T index. The ISO has also proposed a method of analytical evaluation and interpretation of the thermal stress experienced by a subject in a hot environment (ISO, 1983). The method is based on the comparison between the required skin wettedness and the required sweat rate as a result of the working conditions, and the skin wettedness and sweat rate which it is physiologically possible to achieve. ISO (1983) recommends that ambient conditions acceptable for an 8 hour should satisfy the following conditions: Ep = Ere q (14) Wreq < Wlim (15) SWp < (16) Omax/8 where E p = predicted evaporation rate ( W m - 2 ) , required evaporation rate ( W m - 2), w req required skin wettedness (dimensionless), w lim = skin wettedness compatible with a steady state of b o d y t e m p e r a t u r e s (dimensionless), SWp = predicted sweat rate ( W m - 2 ) , and Dmax = m a x i m u m acceptable dehydration (Win-2). Equations for calculating the above mentioned variables are included. N o time limits have been suggested for the work shift, if the three conditions are satisfied. In this case SWp can be used as a comparison index for the equivalence of heat stress conditions. ISO (1983) emphasizes that it is necessary to calculate an allowable exposure time (DLE), if one or other of these three conditions is not satisfied. The D L E can be determined from the m a x i m u m heat storage (Qmax) compatible on the one side with the normal execution of a task and on the other with the absence of pathological effects. The raising of the deep body temperature corresponding to this m a x i m u m heat storage is taken to be between 0.8 and 1°C. If the required evaporation rate is not achievable Ere q = = D L E 1 = 60Q ..... / ( Ereq - - Ep) (17) If the required skin wettedness is excessive and incompatible with a stable regime of body temperatures DLE 2 = 60Qrnax//(Wreq - Wlim) (18) If the required sweat rate involves an exaggerated dehydration D E E 3 = 60Oma,,/SWp (19) The allowable exposure time (DLE) which is to be taken into consideration in the limiting duration of work, is the shortest DLE, i.e., the minim u m value of D L E 1, D L E 2 and D L E 3. When D L E 1 or D L E 2 are the determining factors, it is advised to allow the worker a rest period sufficient to bring about a return to normal body temperature before being exposed again to a hot environment. When D L E 3 is the determining factor, no further exposure should be allowed during the day. This proposed standard provides a programme in BASIC which allows the calculation of the 98 required sweat rate and of the D L E for all situations where the following parameters are known: the metabolic heat production, the thermal insulation of the clothing and climatic parameters. The method of analytical estimation and interpretation of thermal stress (ISO, 1983) allows a more precise approach than the method based on the W B G T (ISO, 1982) as well as a more rational choice of means of protection. However, at the present state of techniques of measurement and calculation, its application takes longer and is more difficult. The ISO (1983) procedures can be used either when an in-depth analysis of hot working conditions is needed, or as a complement of the ISO (1982) standard when its reference values are exceeded. A NUMERICAL EXAMPLE The following example reviews the procedures and calculations required to determine the values of the heat stress indices discussed in this paper. The climatic factors of an indoor industrial workplace were measured with the appropriate instruments as follows: Air temperature (Ta) = 36 ° C Natural wet bulb temperature (Tnwb) = 30 ° C Psychrometric wet bulb temperature (Twb)= 29°C Globe temperature (T~) = 40 ° C Air velocity (v) = 0.5 m / s Botsball reading ( W G T ) = 29.5 o C The worker was wearing a normal summer clothing (i.e., clo = 0.6), and performing a m o d erate workload task and his metabolic energy was 250 W. 1. Corrected Effective Temperature (CET) The corrected effective temperature value can be determined from a n o m o g r a m (Ellis et al., 1972; Kerslake, 1972) by applying Tg = 40, Twb = 29 and v = 0.5: C E T = 31.6 ° C 2. Skin wettedness (w) The skin wettedness can be determined from the relation: w = HSI/100 = 199.5/100 = 1.995 (see section 4 below for the calculation of HSI) Since w cannot exceed 1, therefore the value of the skin wettedness in this example is 1. This means that the worker's b o d y was fully covered by sweat. 3. New effective temperature ( E T * ) In this example, the value of E T * is determined by the iteration procedure (Gagge and Gozalez, 1973) to demonstrate the complexity of the computations. However, it is agreed that the computations would not be so hard, if they were performed on a p r o g r a m m e d hand held calculator (Nishi, 1977). The new effective temperature can be obtained by solving eqn. (2) (by iteration). E T * + w [ 2 . 2 h c / ( h c + hr) ] (0.5P~T. -- Pw) = To hc = 8.6v °53 = 8.6(0.5) 0.53 --- 5 . 9 5 6 W / m 2 o C Assuming h r = 4 . 7 W / m 2 ° C , then the operative temperature (To) can be determined from eqn. (5): To=(hrTr+hcTa)/(hr+hc) = (4.7 × 45.09 + 5.956 X 3 6 ) / ( 4 . 7 + 5.956) = 40°C (see section 4 below for the calculation of T~) The term w [ 2 . 2 h c / ( h c + h r ) ] = 112.2 X 5 . 9 5 6 / ( 4 . 7 + 5.956)] = 1.23 Knowing T~=36°C and T w b = 2 9 ° C , then from a psychrometric chart, the value of Pw is equal to 26.5 m m H g . F r o m the above c o m p u t e d values, eqns. (2) and (4) become: If the effective temperature value is required, use Ta instead of Tg: E T * + 1.23(0.5P~T. -- 26.5) = 40 ET = 30.5° C P~v* = exp(18.669 - 4 0 3 0 . 1 8 / [ E T * ]) m m H g 99 Therefore, C = KeY° 6(Ta - 3 5 ) E T * + 1.23{0.5 exp[18.669 - 4 0 3 0 . 1 8 / ( E T * + 235)] - 26.5 } = 40 The value of E T * can be determined from this equation by trial and error. First trial Assume E T * = 4 0 ° C , equation will be: then the L.H.S. of the 40 + 1.23{0.5 exp[18.669 - (4030.18/275)] - 26.5 } = 41.449 Therefore, by assuming E T * = 40 ° C, the L.H.S. of the equation (i.e., 41.449) becomes greater than the R.H.S. (i.e., 40). = 8.1(0.5)°6(36 - 35) =5.3W Ere q = M + R + C = 250 + 77.7 + 5.3 = 333 W Emax = KE°°'6( 42 -- Pw) = 16.3(0.5)°"6(42 - 26.5) = 166.9 W (the value of Pw (i.e., 26.5) is determined from a psychrometric chart, see section 3 above) Heat Stress Index ( H S I ) = (Ereq/Emax) X 100 = (333/166.9) X 100 Second trial Assume E T * = 39 ° C, the L.H.S. of the equation will be: = 199.5 5. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) 39 + 1.23{0.5 e x p [ 1 8 . 6 6 9 - (4030.18/274)] - 26.5 } = 38.676 By assuming E T * = 3 9 ° C , the L.H.S. of the equation (i.e., 38.676) becomes smaller than the R.H.S. (i.e., 40). Third trial Assume E T * = 39.5°C, the L.H.S. of the equation will be: 39.5 + 1.23{0.5 exp[18.669 - (4030.18/274.5)] - 26.5 } = 40.05 In this iteration, the L.H.S. (i.e., 40.05) is approximately equal to the R.H.S. (i.e., 40), hence: The wet bulb globe temperature is obtained from eqn. (10): W B G T = 0.7Tnw b + 0.3Tg = 0.7 X 30 + 0.3 X 40 = 33°C 6. Wet Globe Temperature (WGT) The wet globe temperature is obtained directly from the Botsball reading: W G T = 29.5 ° C ET* = 39.5°C Conclusions 4. Heat Stress Index (HSI) The heat stress index can be obtained by using the equations and coefficient given in Table 1: Tr = Tg + 1.8v°5(Tg - Ta) = 40 + 1.8(0.5)°'3(40 - 36) = 45.09 ° C R = KR(g - 35) = 7.7(45.09 - 35) = 77.7 W As described above, heat stress is the aggregate of climatic (i.e., air temperature, humidity or vapor pressure, air velocity and radiation) and physical factors. Assessment of heat stress is performed by measuring one or m o r e of these factors and then utilizing the appropriate heat stress index. The objective of assessing the occupational heat stress by one of the available heat indices is to establish safe heat exposure limits, and regulatory rules. Several heat indices have been developed over the years. Some of these indices were discussed in this paper (i.e., CET, w, E T * , HSI, W B G T , W G T 100 and programmed hand held calculators). The measurements required, advantages and disadvantages for each index were discussed. A numerical example was given to illustrate the procedures and calculations required to compute each index. Mean Equivalence Lines (MEL) developed by Wenzel (1978) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for hot environments were also provided in the paper. Other heat stress indices reported in the literature and not discussed in this paper include: the cooling power of air measured by the wet-kata thermometer, the Index of Physiological Effect (IPE), the predicted 4 hour sweat rate (P4SR), the wet bulb-dry index (W.D.), the temperature humidity index (THI), the index of physiological effect ( E p ) , the index of thermal stress (ITS), the relative strain index (RS), the reference index (RI) and others (Witherspoon and Goldman, 1974; Ramsey and Beshir, 1987). A heat stress index as defined above is a numerical evaluation of the hot environment. Therefore, by increasing the level of one or more of the climatic factors, the numerical value of a heat index will increase. Consequently, it is logical to expect that strong correlations exist among most of the heat indices, and this has been reported in several laboratory and field studies (Brief and Confer, 1971; Jensen and Heins, 1976; Mutchler and Vecchio, 1977; Pulket et al., 1980). NIOSH (1972) recommended the WBGT among the available heat stress indices as the standard index for industrial use. This recommendation was later widely accepted and supported by different institutions and researchers nationally and internationally (Beshir and Hafez, 1984). It has been proposed that the WBGT index, corrected for energy expenditure and air velocity, can be used as an international standard heat stress index (Brown and Dunn, 1977). Recently, the WGT is being highly recommended to be the primary heat stress index to be used for monitoring the industrial environment (NIOSH, 1980; Beshir, 1981). This is basically because of the simplicity, small size and reliability of the Botsball. However, the primary purpose for using a simple index such as the WGT, or the WBGT would be to establish a point at which some other more detailed observations and in-depth analysis of the working environment must be made. REFERENCES ACGIH, 1987. 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