Effects of decreasing air temperature on peripheral thermal reactions in males and females

Abstract

Minimum air temperature at the thermal standard for offices in Japan is 17°C, which may be too low to be comfortable or neutral. Even in a neutral thermal condition, it is better that office workers are provided some protection such as a blanket or clothing, to protect peripheral body parts from cooling in winter, as there are individual differences in physiological thermal reactions.

Is the Effect of Mobile Phone Radiofrequency Waves on Human Skin Perfusion Non‐Thermal?

“…During the baseline control period, the raw PU values were relatively low and constant for each subject. This indirectly reflects the skin vasomotor tone activity (mainly controlled by the vasoconstrictor α 1 ‐ adrenergic nervous system) at a comfortable, thermoneutral ambient temperature of 24°C for humans wearing light clothing at rest . Direct heating effects at approximately +2°C over baseline (i.e., increases in Tsk due to the mobile phone's electronic components) were observed in both sham and radiofrequency exposure sessions.…”

Effect of floor surface temperature on blood flow and skin temperature in the foot

“…In this investigation, it was observed that the blood flow did not increased above 34°C, however the blood flow was decreased until the foot temperature reached 20°C. Several researchers, such as Malchaire and Durieux (1995) and Tanaka et al. (2003), have argued that a skin temperature drop decreases the blood flow rate in the extremities when the ambient temperature maintained at 18°C.…”

“…Malchaire and Durieux (1995) investigated the fingertip and foot skin temperature of babies crawling on a floor, and they reported that the hand skin temperature of young babies dropped to 29°C. Tanaka et al (2003) argued that the energy-conscious indoor temperature of 18°C is not a healthy environment, because the blood flow rate in the fingertips decreases due to induced vasoconstriction. Researchers in the Far Eastern Province did not agree with the recommended floor surface temperature of 16-29°C Youn et al, 1991;Zhang et al, 1998).…”

Effects of a Cool Environment on the Health of Female Office Workers and Students

“…The ten female college students were assessed in a laboratory of size 5.9ϫ10.5 m 2 (lengthϫwidth). Most studies on the relationship between the thermal environment and the human body have been conducted in a room where the room temperature and humidity are strictly controlled (Tanaka et al, 2003;Sadakata et al, 2000;Nishimura et al, 1993;Isaji et al, 2000;Yoneda, 1993;Hasebe and Iriki, 1993). In this study, however, changes mimicking the temperature and relative humidity in the office during the daytime working hours were evaluated, using a large room that would not cause feelings of claustrophobia.…”

“…"Cooling disorder" is defined as an autonomic imbalance due to abnormal and continuous cooling stimulation by excessive air conditioning (Miura et al, 2001). Considering that females are more vulnerable to cold environments and that a greater number of females are sensitive to cold than males (Tanaka et al, 2003), symptoms associated with cold temperatures are intensified in females when they work in not only cold working environments but also cool offices, and indefinite health complaints by female workers are expected to increase. Therefore, the aims of this study were to survey the status quo of females working in cool environments and to elucidate the relationship between cooling and hypersensitivity to cold.…”