Impacts of Individual Protective Equipment on Active Range of Motion and Respiratory Protection
Abstract
This investigation quantified active range of motion (AROM) of common military and law enforcement movements while wearing chemical/biological (CB) and ballistic protective equipment, measured the impacts of integrated CB and ballistic equipment on respirator protection from particulates, and determined local head and neck protection factors against gases and vapors with the same individual protective equipment (IPE). To quantify the impacts of IPE wear on AROM, sequential levels of protective equipment items were added to the test matrix to simulate differing levels of respiratory and ballistic protection. Wearing an air-purifying respirator alone did not significantly impact head AROM. However, substantial reductions in head AROM, mainly cervical rotation, were evident with the addition of the CB suit, ballistic protective helmet, and body armor. Reductions in AROM for regions other than the head were found primarily for body armor test conditions. Despite these notable decrements in head and body mobility, with increasing levels of protective equipment wear, respiratory protection levels were relatively consistent among IPE test conditions. Therefore, interactions among CB and ballistic IPE items will cause some reduction in mobility but should not compromise respiratory protection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA481781
Entities
People
- Daniel J. Barker
- David M. Caretti
- Kari A. Carter
Organizations
- Edgewood Chemical Biological Center