Lab Report 2

Subject: Occupational Hygiene Lab (ENVI2163)

Lab 4: Temperature Extremes

Submitted to: Helen Mersereau Submitted by: Sapandeep S. Sehra

Student ID: 20191471

Introduction:

The main purpose of this lab is to compare how much heat stress different environments produce.

Temperature has a great impact on living beings, and it is known that both extreme cold and hot

temperature can be hazardous for health. The health risk factors involved in such extremities are;

frostbite and hypothermia in cold temperature, while heat stroke is a major concern in a hot

temperature environment. Therefore, a person is prone to such risks if exposed to such environment.

Hence, it becomes crucial to measure the temperature extremes. Temperature can be measured by

using the following:

• The globe temperature

• Dry-bulb temperature

• Wet-bulb temperature

The wet bulb measures the effect of humidity on evaporation and the effect of air movement on

ambient temperatures, the globe measures the effect of radiant heat on the temperature, and the dry

bulb measures the ambient air temperature.

During this lab activity, in a group of four, temperature at different places in the campus was

measured. To start with, temperature in the computer lab was recorded, as it is generally occupied by

students and computers being operated all day, the idea was to measure how much heat is being

produced in the room. Thereafter, the temperature was recorded in the gym as well, considering

people working out and how much heat is produced in the room. Also, the kitchen area of the

cafeteria in the campus was considered as well, people working in the heated kitchen were ideal

condition for the experiment. The fume hood in the chemistry lab was used for measuring

temperature; making sure to compare both light off and on of the hood while taking in consideration

of the temperature, as when off the air gets moist and results in falling of temperature, while when
turned on the air gets dry and the rise in temperature can be noticed. The results are described below

in the table followed by further discussion.

Methods:

Heat Stress Measurements:

• Using a heat stress monitor that had wet bulb, globe and dry bulb, temperature was measured

in different locations of the campus; field house, lab centre, kitchen, computer lab, etc.

• The temperature was recorded after 5 minutes between each area while monitoring.

• Workload is generally determined by the amount of work done by an employee at work

station, frequency of the work, and then considering such criteria WBGT was measured.

• Other data such as maximum work period and number of breaks was recorded from the given

guideline.

Cold Stress Measurements:

• Anemometer (veloc calc) was used to measure the cold stress. It is basically used to in

measuring the air velocity, flow rate and air temperature.

• Readings were taken in the parking lot by holding the tool tightly overhead.

• The readings were not taken immediately; instead it was recorded 5 minutes later to make

sure that the instrument had enough time to perform properly.

• The recorded temperature and air speed readings were compared with the wind chill sheet

and TLV sheet.

Results

Lab Data Table (All temperatures are in degrees Celsius)

Location Dry bulb C Wet bulb Globe WBGT inside WBGT

Temperature outside (for

info only)

Rink- ice. 14.2C 12.7C 15.4C 13.5C 13.39C

Rink-upper 18.6C 14.5C 18.5C 15.9C 15.71C

Field house 17.6C 15.7C 17.4C 16.2C 16.23C

Lab-window 20.9C 17.2C 21.7C 18.6C 18.47C

Lab centre 21.4 C 17.6C 21.8C 18.9C 18.82C

Fume hood 21.7C 17.8C 22.5C 19.3C 19.13C

off

Fume hood on 21.8C 17.8C 22.3C 19.1C 19.1C

Computer lab 20.2C 17.0C 21.4C 18.3C 18.2C

Kitchen 19.8C 16.2C 20.3C 17.3C 17.38C

Summery Table (WBGT action limit and WBGT measured):

Location Work (light, Work WBGT WBGT Comments

heavy, frequency % Action limit measured (acceptable:

moderate) per hour Y/N)

Rink- ice Heavy 75-100% 25.5 13.39C YES

Rink-upper Light 10-25% 28 15.71C YES

Field house Very heavy 75-100% 24.5 16.23C YES

Lab-window Light 50-75% 28.5 18.47C YES

Lab centre Light 75-100% 28 18.82C YES

 Fume hood Light 0-25% - 19.13C YES

off

Fume hood on Heavy 50-75% - 19.1C YES

Computer lab Light 75-85% 28 18.2C YES

Kitchen Moderate 50-75% 26 17.38C YES

Determining the outside temperature using Environment Canada information

Cold stress table:

Air Temperature Air Speed Equivalent Chill Maximum Number of

Temperature Work period breaks

26.9 3.2km/h 23 8hours 1 for 4 hours

shift

DISCUSSION

Heat Stress:

In this experiment we have calculated the WBGT inside and WBGT outside by using heat stress

measurements that is dry bulb temperature and wet bulb globe temperature. According to the data,

work is categorized as: light, moderate and heavy.

Variation in temperature was observed, however, minute variation in temperature at an upper level

and lower level was recorded.

Measurement and temperature recorded at different places showed the difference in temperature.

Rink-ice showed lower temperature compared to the upper-rink, whereas fume hood did not show any

major difference in both the conditions that is light being on and off.

Heat stress questions:

1. How does the measurement at ice level and upper level in the rink vary? Does this make

sense?

According to the measurements, it can be noted that there is not a huge difference at both the

levels. Both the upper and lower region in the rink can be seen as regulated at the required

minimum temperature according to the need of the worker. Hence, the lower region being

more occupied as a work space is maintained accordingly, so is the upper level of the rink.

2. How do the measurements at the window and the centre of the lab compare? What do

you expect and what do you find? Does this make sense? How can you explain it?

The WBGT measured at the lab centre and the lab window is 18.82C and 18.47C

respectively, again showing not much of a difference. This shows that there is proper

ventilation in the lab; means air being circulated properly, making this lab an ideal work

place.

3. How do the measurements inside the fume hood with it on and off compare? What do

you expect and what do you find? Does it make sense?

There was not much of a difference in the temperature noted in the fume hood, in both the on

and off condition, it showed minute difference. Ideally, there should be some difference in the

temperature while hood being on and off, as it regulates air when on, therefore temperature

rises and vice versa.

 4. How do the WBGT (inside) and WBGT (outside) differ? Compare the readings taken in

your measurement locations. Then choose one of the measurement locations and use the

following formulas to show how the instrument performed in internal calculation:

WBGT out = 0.7 nwb+.02Tg + 0.1Tdb

WBGT in = 0.7 nwb + 0.3 Tg

The primary difference between both is presence and absence of sunlight, WBGT inside, is

measured in the closed or covered area/ building and without sunlight; whereas, wet bulb globe

temperature outside is measured in the open area with direct sunlight.

LAB CENTRE:

• WBGT out = 0.7 nwb +.02Tg + 0.1Tdb

= 0.7(17.6) + 0.2(21.8) +0.1 (21.4)

=12.32 + 4.36 + 2.14

=18.82

• WBGT in = 0.7 nwb + 0.3 Tg

=0.7(17.6) + 0.3(21.8)

= 12.32+ 6.54

= 18.86

Cold Stress

In cold stress, air temperature and air speed were recorded using anemometer. It is very important to

make sure that proper temperature is maintained, because in winters, temperature can go as low as 0

degrees, therefore, it becomes crucial to keep a check on the environment for the safety of the

workers.
Question/answers:

1. What is the wind chill temperature?

The wind chill temperature is how cold a person or any living being feel when in an outside

atmosphere. It is defined by the amount of heat loss from the body caused by wind and cold.

As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, bringing down the internal body

temperature.

2. How many breaks are required?

Estimated chill temperature is 23C, therefore one break per 4-hour shift is recommended.

3. What is the maximum work period?

The estimated work period is 4 hours.

4. What kind of work can be done?

All kind of work such as light, moderate or heavy can be done as per field or the need.

Recommendations:

• It could be beneficial if an occupational hygienist can keep a track of temperature at the

work station from time to time, in order to avoid any kind of accidents due to rise/fall in

temperature, as it can be fatal if neglected.

• Proper medical kit/ first aid kit for the workers at the work place.

• Regulated work hours, to make sure that there is no over exposure to a particular worker.

• Proper training can be provided to the workers, for better survival and awareness can be

spread, therefore one can seek medical facility as soon as minute symptoms are observed.

• Strongly, healthy environment which strictly follows the guidelines should be maintained.
Conclusion:

• It is concluded that measurement of heat stress and cold stress is crucial in a working space,

in order to provide healthy environment to the employees. The experiment was conducted by

calculating dry bulb, wet bulb and globe temperature at different places in the university

campus with the help of stress heat monitor, along with WBGT inside/outside as well.

Workload was categorized as light, moderate or heavy. According to the results, there was

only minute variation in the temperature obtained at different places, which clearly suggest

that the surrounding environment at the university is completely acceptable to carry out day to

day task without any significant hazard.

References:

• Canadian centre for health and safety (2017), Heat and cold stress. Retrieved from:

https://www.ccohs.ca/topics/hazards/physical/temperature/

• Ontario Ministry of labour (2009), Safety guidelines. Retrieved from:

https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/filmguide/gl_33.php

• Occupational Hygiene, (Lab manual) Department of health sciences, Cape Breton

University.

• Wind chilled factor. Retrieved from: https://www.calculator.net/wind-chill-

calculator.html