HAZARDS OF TEMPERATURE EXTREMS AND PRESSURE HAZARDS

CABALLERO, JOHN CARLO CABO, JUSTIN BARBARA PLASENCIA, ROWELL

HAZARDS OF TEMPERATURE EXTREMES

THERMAL COMFORT
Human thermal comfort is defined by ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) as the state of mind that expresses satisfaction with the surrounding environment.

CONDUCTION
is the transfer of thermal energy between regions of matter due to a temperature gradient. Heat spontaneously flows from a region of higher temperature to a region of lower temperature, temperature differences over time, approaching thermal equilibrium.

CONVECTION
is the movement of molecules within fluids (i.e. liquids, gases) and rheids. It cannot take place in solids, since neither bulk current flows nor significant diffusion can take place in solids.

HEAT STRESS
is the net (overall) heat burden on the body from the combination of the body heat generated while working, environmental sources (air temperature, humidity, air movement, radiation from the sun or hot surfaces/sources) and clothing requirements.

HEAT EXHAUSTION
occurs when your body gets too hot. The hypothalamus, the part of the brain that controls thirst and hunger, also controls the body's core temperature. Normally, the body cools itself by sweating. But if you are exposed to high temperatures for a long and don't replace the fluids you lose, the body systems that regulate temperature become overwhelmed. As a result, your body produces more heat than it can release. Heat exhaustion requires immediate attention because it can progress to heat stroke, a life threatening illness.

 People with heat exhaustion may experience the following signs and symptoms:

Heavy sweating, Fatigue, Headache, Pale, clammy skin, Thirst, Rapid heartbeat, Dizziness, fainting, Nausea, vomiting, Muscle and abdominal cramps, Mild temperature elevations
If body temperature goes above 104 F, or if coma or seizure occurs, the patient may have heat stroke. Heat stroke can quickly lead to heart attack and death if not treated.

HEAT STROKE
occurs when the body is exposed to an excessive amount of heat and becomes unable dissipate the heat through sweating. When heat stroke happens, the bodys temperature rises rapidly, the body loses its ability to sweat, and it is unable to cool down. Body temperature can rise to 106F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes, and at 106F brain death begins.

Symptoms of heat stroke can sometimes mimic those of heart attack or other conditions. Sometimes a person experiences symptoms of heat exhaustion before progressing to heat strokes. Common symptoms and signs of heat stroke include:, high body temperature,the absence of sweating, with hot red or flushed dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, strange behavior, hallucinations, confusion, agitation, disorientation, seizure, and/or coma.

HEAT CRAMPS
are muscle spasms that result from loss of large amount of salt and water through exercise. Heat cramps are associated with cramping in the abdomen, arms and calves. This can be caused by inadequate consumption of fluids or electrolytes. Frequently, they don't occur until sometime later, especially at night or when relaxing. Heavy sweating causes heat cramps, especially when the water is replaced without also replacing salt or potassium. Although heat cramps can be quite painful, they usually don't result in permanent damage. In order to prevent them, one may drink electrolyte solutions such as sports drinks during exercise or eat potassium-rich foods like bananas.

Muscle spasms are the only sign of heat cramps. Symptoms of heat cramps are cramps that are:

Painful, Involuntary, Brief ,Intermittent (they come and go) ,Usually self-limited (resolve on their own)

HEAT SYNCOPE/FAINTING
is another stage in the same process as heat stroke, occurs under similar conditions as heat stroke and is not distinguished from the latter by some authorities. The basic symptom of heat syncope is a body temperature above 40C (104F) with fainting, with or without mental confusion, which does occur in heat stroke. Heat syncope is caused by mild overheating with inadequate water or salt. In young persons, it is far more common than true sunstroke.

HEAT RASH
is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age but is most common in young children. Heat rash looks like a red cluster of pimples or small blisters.
It is uncertain why some people get heat rashes and others don't.

The sweat gland ducts can get blocked if excessive sweating occurs, and that sweat is not allowed to evaporate from a specific area.

Some examples of how blockage may occur include the following: Creases in the skin like the neck, armpit, or groin have skin touching adjacent skin, which makes it difficult for air to circulate preventing sweat evaporation. Tight clothing that prevents sweat evaporation. Bundling up in heavy clothing or sheets. This may occur when a person tries to keep warm in wintertime or when chilled because of an illness and fever. Heavy creams or lotions can clog sweat ducts.

WORK TOLERANCE TIME

A time period during which a worker can effectively perform a task without a rest period while maintaining acceptable levels of physiological and emotional well-being.

MOISTURE VAPOR TRANSFER RATE

is a measure of the passage of water vapor through a substance. There are many industries where moisture control is critical. Moisture sensitive foods and pharmeceuticals are put in packaging with controlled MVTR to achieve the required quality, safety, and shelf life. In clothing, MVTR as a measure of breathability has contributed to greater comfort for wearers of clothing for outdoor activity. The building materials industry also manages the moisture barrier properties in architectural components to ensure the correct moisture levels in the internal spaces of buildings.

HEAT STRAIN
heat strain or the thermal strain is caused due to the temperature changes. A solid body expands as the temperature increases and contracts as the temperature decreases.this causes the thermal strain. for a homogeneous and isotropic body the thermal strain is caused by change in temperature. thermal strain = coefficient of linear thermal expansion * change in temperature where the coefficient of linear thermal expansion gives the strain per degree of temperature.

BURNS AND THEIR EFFECTS

HUMAN SKIN
The skin is the outer covering of the body. In humans, it is the largest organ of the integumentary system. The skin has multiple layers of ectodermal tissue and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs.Human skin is similar to that of most other mammals, except that it is not protected by a pelt.The adjective cutaneous literally means "of the skin" (from Latin cutis, skin).

BURNS
in order to determine the need for referral to a specialized burn unit, the American Burn Association devised a classification system to aid in the decision-making process. Under this system, burns can be classified as major, moderate and minor. This is assessed based on a number of factors, including total body surface area (TBSA) burnt, the involvement of specific anatomical zones, age of the person and associated injuries.

MAJOR BURNS
Major burns are defined as: Age 10-50yrs: partial thickness burns >25% of total body surface area; Age <10 or >50: partial thickness burns >20% of total body surface area Full thickness burns >10%, Burns involving the hands, face, feet or perineum, Burns that cross major joints, Circumferential burns to any extremity, Any burn associated with inhalational injury, Electrical burns, Burns associated with fractures or other trauma, Burns in infants and the elderly, Burns in persons at high-risk of developing complications. These burns typically require referral to a specialized burn treatment center.

MODERATE BURNS
Moderate burns are defined as:

Age 10-50yrs: partial thickness burns involving 15-25% of total body surface area
Age <10 or >50: partial thickness burns involving 10-20% of total body surface area Full thickness burns involving 2-10% of total body surface area Persons suffering these burns often need to be hospitalized for burn care.

MINOR BURNS
Minor burns are: Age 10-50yrs: partial thickness burns <15% of total body surface area Age <10 or >50: partial thickness burns involving <10% of total body surface area

Full thickness burns <2% of total body surface area, without associated injuries
These burns usually do not require hospitalization.

CARE FOR FIRST DEGREE and SECOND DEGREE BURNS

relieve pain by applying a wet, cold cloth. If cold water is unavailable, use any cold liquid you drink to reduce the burned skin's temperature.

CARE FOR THIRD DEGREE BURNS

Cover the burn with a dry, nonsticking sterile dressing or clean cloth. Treat the victim for shock by elevating the legs and keeping the victim warm with a clean sheet or blanket.

CHEMICAL BURNS
Most chemical burns occur on the face, eyes, and arms and legs. Usually a chemical burn will be relatively small and will require only outpatient treatment. Chemical burns can be deceiving, however. Some agents can cause deep tissue damage not readily apparent when you first look at it.

Tissue damage from chemical burns depends on several factors. The strength or concentration of the agent The site of contact (eye, skin, mucous membrane) Whether swallowed or inhaled Whether or not skin is intact With how much of the agent you came into contact The duration of exposure How the chemical works

Signs and symptoms of chemical burns include the following: Redness, irritation, or burning at the site of contact Pain or numbness at the site of contact Formation of blisters or black dead skin at the contact site Vision changes if the chemical gets into your eyes Cough or shortness of breath

In severe cases, you may develop any of the following: Low blood pressure Faintness, weakness, dizziness Shortness of breath or severe cough Headache Muscle twitching or seizures Cardiac arrest or irregular heartbeat Chemical burns can be very unpredictable. Death from a chemical injury, although rare, can occur.

Care for Chemical Burns

Immediately remove the chemical by flushing with water.

Remove the victim's contaminated clothing while flushing with water.

Flush for 20 minutes or longer. Let the victim wash with a mild soap before a final rinse. Cover the burned area with a dry dressing or, for large areas, a clean pillow case.

If the chemical is in the eye, flood it for at least 20 minutesm using low pressure.
Seek medical attention immediately for all chemical burns.