Can hypobaric hypoxia affect human thermal comfort. An experimental study in Tibet, China

Hypobaric hypoxia is the main environmental feature of the Tibetan plateau which would influence the efficiency of human metabolic heat production and the ability of thermal regulation. In order to understand the influence of the hypoxic environment on the plateau on the thermal comfort of short-term sojourners in Tibet, China, oxygen generators were used to create oxygen-enriched environments, and physiological and psychological reactions of subjects were compared under different oxygen partial pressures (p(O2)) and air temperatures (t(a)). The results showed that subjects' thermal sensation, thermal comfort and mean skin temperature decreased with a decrease in the oxygen partial pressure. When t(a)=17 degrees C, the influence of oxygen partial pressure was more pronounced, compared to p(O2 )= 16.4kPa, the thermal sensation of subjects under p(O2)=13.7kPa decreased by 33%. The rate of subjects feeling comfortable decreased by 25%, and the mean skin temperature decreased by 0.7 degrees C. The hypoxic environment of the plateau exacerbates human discomfort. Therefore, it is necessary to fully understand the actual thermal requirements of sojourners in Tibet, China. The results of this study would have implications for a better understanding of thermal comfort characteristics in the hypoxia environment in plateau.

Automated summary

Hypobaric hypoxia in the Tibetan plateau affects thermal comfort by causing a decrease in thermal sensation and mean skin temperature. Oxygen partial pressure has a significant impact on thermal sensation, exacerbating discomfort in a hypoxic environment.