Heat Stress and Personal Cooling Solutions

Let us begin by making sure that we know what Heat Stress is and its symptoms.The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) states,

"Workers who are exposed to extreme heat or work in hot environments may be at risk of heat stress. Exposure to extreme heat can result in occupational illnesses and injuries. Heat stress can result in heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, or heat rashes. Heat can also increase the risk of injuries in workers as it may result in sweaty palms, fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness."

For more details about the symptoms and first aid for these heat related illnesses please visit the above listed site and please remember that these same issues are faced by anyone who is active, whether through work or play, in hot environments.

Concerns over heat stress are not new, but recognition of this as a serious problem that we all need to be aware of is growing as noted in a CNN International report and the recent field study by the JGC Corporation in the Middle East, where it was reported that their programs resulted in a 50% reduction in heat illness frequency and these programs included TechNiche International products.

What I would like to focus on are options available to you that can help you to prevent Heat Stress.

TechNiche International has developed and produced several technologies around keeping the individual cool and comfortable in hot environments. Two key technologies are our HyperKewl Evaporative Cooling Fabric and our CoolPaxPhase Change Cooling inserts. Both help to reduce the temperature of the individual at the skin level, helping to reduce the heat the individual is feeling and exposed to while working or playing outside. Both can be used for work or play to help improve comfort, and performance, while helping to combat Heat Stress. While these two technologies can play a key role in helping to prevent heat stress, they should not be used alone, but must be used in conjunction with good hydration, shade and personal awareness of how the heat is impacting you as an individual.

TechNiche's HyperKewl Evaporative Cooling product line can cool the individual up to 15F below the ambient temperature, depending on environmental conditions. Cool Pax can keep the individual at a fixed 58F (14C) for up to 3 hrs. Both technologies are easily activated and can be worn with little or no interference to movement.