Physiological Responses Wearing MOPP-IV after Atropine and Pralidoxime Administration in Warm and Cool Environments

Abstract

The effect of cholinolytic and oxime (2 mg atropine + 600 mg pralidoxime) therapy on temperature regulation was evaluated in 8 subjects wearing chemical warfare protective clothing (MOPP-level IV). Subjects were tested in two environments: 35 c, 60% rh and 13 C, 44% rh during very light physical activity (1-2 Met) over a six-hour period. Sweating was suppressed approximately 40% by atropine and pralidoxime, and heart rate increased approximately 30 beats/min with drug treatment. At 13 C, all eight subjects completed 350 minutes of exposure in both drug and control experiments. Rectal temperature (t sub re) averaged 38.24 C in both treatments when subjects terminated their exposure at 35 C. Mean skin temperature averaged 37.42 C for both groups at termination. The treatment of subjects with atropine and pralidoxime when wearing chemical protective clothing does not adversely affect the length of time individuals can remain in a cool environment during very light work. However, the wearing of chemical protective clothing will decrease exposure time significantly (approx. 40%) in both control and drug treated subjects in a warm environment. Keywords: Heat stress physiology, Human factors engineering, Cholinesterase inhibitors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA197703

Entities

People

  • Bruce S. Cadarette
  • Margaret A. Kolka

Organizations

  • United States Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Atropine
  • Availability
  • Blood
  • Blood Flow
  • Chemical Warfare
  • Classification
  • Clothing
  • Drug Therapy
  • Environment
  • Heart Rate
  • Heat Energy
  • Heat Loss
  • Medical Personnel
  • Protective Clothing
  • Security
  • Therapy

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Materials Science
  • Neurotoxicology