Assessment of the cooling effect of the body and frostbite of open areas of the body in the Arctic condition

Abstract

In conditions of arctic cold, individual protection means do not always provide sufficient efficiency when performing a number of works. The risk of body cooling (according to the index of cold wind — ICH) and frostbite of open areas of the body (according to the integral indicator of body cooling (IPCOO) and the equivalent temperature (EquT) was determined. EquT was calculated by Sayple and an improved formula. Evaluation was carried out according to meteorological data obtained at Cape Chelyuskin and Dikson Island. On Chelyuskin, according to IHV, year-round warming of the body is required. According to the average monthly indicators, the risk of cooling the body in winter clothes in April-May and October-November. In December-March, the HI values significantly exceed the critical values. Warming of the body on Dikson 10 months a year, risk zone — 8 months: cooling — autumn and March, April, critical cooling — winter months. According to EquT, the duration of the frostbite period for 1 min is longer — 5–6 months at temperatures from –27.0 ± 0.4 0 С to –45.4 ± 0.9 / –38.8 ± 0.5 0 С. On Dikson, the duration of the period of critical risk is 3 months, moderate — 7 months. According to EqT, there is a high risk of frostbite for 4–6 months at temperatures from –29.8 ± 0.3 0 С to –42.3 ± 0.7 / –34.3 ± 0.4 0 С. Taking into account the wind speed, which affects the thermal insulation properties of clothing, it should be assumed that, according to the average wind data, a high health hazard persists for 5–6 months on Chelyuskin, and 4–6 months on Dikson. insignificant danger persists all year round. The duration of the high hazard period is probably longer when assessing the effect of maximum wind and minimum temperature.