An assessment of energy expenditure of soldiers serving in the Polish chemical units, performing training tasks in 2 types of personal chemical protective clothing – comparative studies

Abstract

Objectives Individual protection against contamination is the kind of protection provided to persons in an environment contaminated with radioactive substances, and war toxic or biological agents, including the use of gas masks, and insulating or filtration skin protection agents. The aim of this work was to perform a comparative assessment of energy expenditure of chemical troop soldiers wearing L-2 insulating personal protective clothes (PPC) and FOO-1 filter-sorptive PPC during training in the training ground conditions. Surveys on the subjective assessment of comfort related to using the L-2 and FOO-1 PPC were carried out as well. Material and Methods A total of 29 men doing the same training tasks, wearing the L-2 PPC and FOO-1 filter-sorptive protective clothing with an MP-5 filter gas mask, underwent the examination. Measurements of energy expenditure values were done based on the frequency of heart contractions, recorded by the Polar Sport Tester 810 heart rate monitor. Results It was found that an average energy expenditure of soldiers, resulting from performing training tasks, was lower among the subjects wearing the FOO- 1 filter-sorptive PPC, compared to the energy load of the ones using the L-2 PPC. Conclusions According to Christensen’s classification of work severity, the average energy expenditure makes it possible to qualify works performed by soldiers using both types of PPC to moderate work. In the opinion of the examined soldiers serving in the chemical troops, the FOO-1 filter-sorptive PPC increases the sense of security while on a threatened ground. The FOO-1 filter-sorptive PPC is assessed by chemical troop soldiers as better because it hinders tasks fulfillment to a lesser extent. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2019;32(5):645–52

Keywords

• chemical troops
• chemical weapon
• chemical and personal protective clothing
• defense against CBRN hazards
• NBC protection
• energy expenditure