Evaluation of aerosol generation and cooling effects of evaporative plus convective cooling in heat stroke treatment: A simulation study.

AIM: This study aimed to experimentally verify the safety and effectiveness of evaporative plus convective cooling used in heat stroke treatment using a doll simulating a patient with heat stroke.

METHODS

Evaporative plus convective cooling was simulated by blowing air through a fan (speed: approximately 1.0 or 2.5 m/s) and using normal (20°C) or slightly warm (40°C) water on a doll whose surface body temperature was set at 40°C. We measured the change in surface body temperature using a surface heater attached to the back of the doll's chest cover and observed aerosol generation (size: ≥5 μm) using a particulate visualization system. Three particle counters were placed to measure the generated particles that were not captured by the particulate visualization system.

RESULTS

The cooling effect of the 2.5 m/s wind speed was greater than that of the 1.0 m/s wind speed. No particles >0.5 μm were observed, and no aerosol particles were generated.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results thus suggested that wind force has a significant effect, and there was no risk of aerosol-related viral infection in evaporative plus convective cooling. However, this does not rule out the risk of droplet infection.