The effect of artificial smoke compound on physiological responses, cognitive functions and work performance during firefighting activities in a smoke-diving room: an intervention study. Issue 3 (3rd July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hemmatjo, Rasoul; Motamedzade, Majid; Aliabadi, Mohsen; Kalatpour, Omid; Farhadian, Maryam
• Is Part Of: International journal of occupational safety and ergonomics. Volume 24:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: 358
• Page End: 365
• Publication Date: 2018-07-03
• Subjects: artificial smoke compound -- firefighter -- smoke-diving room -- physiological responses -- cognitive function -- performance time; Human engineering -- Periodicals; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Human Engineering -- Periodicals; Occupational Health -- Periodicals; Ergonomie -- Périodiques; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; Human engineering; Industrial safety; Periodicals; 620.8
• DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2017.1299995
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1080-3548

Abstract

Abstract : This study investigated the combined effect of firefighting operations and exposure to smoke on physiological responses, cognitive functions and physical performance among firefighters. Each firefighter was engaged in two experimental conditions: (a) without artificial smoke, control (NS); (b) with artificial smoke (WS). The results of data analysis revealed that heart rate and body temperature increased significantly after the firefighting activities in the two conditions relative to baseline. In addition, reaction time (RT) and correct response (CR) decreased after the activity relative to baseline and there was a significant difference in RT and CR between the NS and WS conditions. There was also a significant difference in performance time between the NS and WS conditions. These findings demonstrated that a smoke compound has an insignificant effect on physiological responses during firefighting activity. On the contrary, the smoke compound has a detrimental influence on cognitive and physical performance.