Also, if clothing has a reflective surface, the infrared radiation is reflected away and helps cooling. As sweat is secreted onto the skin, it evaporates into the air. The required rate of sweat evaporation is adjusted to balance the heat absorbed from the sum of metabolic heat, convective heat, and radiant heat. This limit is about one liter per hour, up to a total of six liters per day. If the humidity is high, the air cannot absorb moisture provided by sweat, if the humidity is low, then air can absorb more water vapor.
Clothing reduces the effectiveness of sweating as a means of cooling the body.
While each specific clothing ensemble has its own unique insulating and vapor permeation characteristics as shown in Table A, we can break down the combinations into five generic ensembles. Metabolism is a major contributor to heat stress. Work performed by the muscles as various tasks are performed will be a significant consideration in your heat control program. Copyright 2001 by Business News Publishing Co.