Tampa, FL (Aug. 31, 2005) -- USF College of Public Health researchers are testing different military hazmat suits designed to allow the body to more effectively cool itself with sweat while keeping the wearer safe from biological, chemical and radioactive materials. The college's heat chamber, which can simulate both desert and jungle (tropical) climates, is used to evaluate heat stress in volunteers wearing the suits. Walking briskly on a treadmill in temperatures ranging from 95 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit with 20 to 50 percent humidity, the student volunteers drink water, watch TV – some even study while they

sweat. Researchers routinely check their "core," or internal body temperature, skin temperature and heart rate. water, watch TV – some even study while they sweat. Researchers routinely check their "core," or internal body temperature, skin temperature and heart rate.

Fabrics used to protect military personnel and first responders from "hot zones," or contaminated areas, can restrict the evaporation of sweat needed to cool the body and increase the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Because people wearing the suits can only work limited times in a hot zone, several teams may have to be sent in and out of the contaminated area to complete a job.

"The goal is to have a protective garment that can reduce heat stress while increasing the time the people can spend working in the hot zone," said Thomas Bernard, PhD, professor and chair of Environmental and Occupational Health.

The study, funded by DuPont, has applications for civilian workers as well – firefighters responding to a hazardous waste spill or industrial workers who must wear protective garments to guard against chemicals.

In addition to Dr. Bernard, USF investigators are using the heat chamber for several federally-funded, heat-related studies. Candi Ashley, PhD, School of Physical Education, is studying how the body readjusts to exertion in heat and humidity after losing its heat tolerance. Steven Mlynarek, PhD, College of Public Health, is assessing new suits designed to improve heat loss while maintaining the safety of emergency personnel responding to suspected chemical or bioterrorism attacks. Eric Coris, MD, Family Medicine and USF Sports Medicine Institute, and Marcus Kilpatrick, PhD, School of Physical Education, will begin a study of heat stress among college athletes next year.

For more information about the use of public health's heat chamber, researchers can contact Dr. Bernard at 974-6629, or tbernard@hsc.usf.edu