Back to Search
Start Over
Oxygen enrichment and its application to life support systems for workers in high-altitude areas.
- Source :
-
International journal of occupational and environmental health [Int J Occup Environ Health] 2014 Jul-Sep; Vol. 20 (3), pp. 207-14. - Publication Year :
- 2014
-
Abstract
- Background: Workers coming from lowland regions are at risk of developing acute mountain sickness (AMS) when working in low oxygen high-altitude areas.<br />Objectives: The aim of this study was to improve the conditions that lead to hypoxia and ensure the safety of the high-altitude workers. We analyzed the influence of low atmospheric pressure on the oxygen enrichment process in high-altitude areas using an engineering method called low-pressure swing adsorption (LPSA).<br />Methods: Fourteen male subjects were screened and divided into three groups by type of oxygen supply system used: (1) oxygen cylinder group; (2) LPSA oxygen dispersal group; and (3) control group. These tests included arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), pulse rate (PR), breaths per minute (BPM), and blood pressure (BP).<br />Results: The results showed that after supplying oxygen using the LPSA method at the tunnel face, the SaO2 of workers increased; the incidence of acute mountain sickness, PR, and BPM significantly decreased.<br />Conclusions: The LPSA life support system was found to be a simple, convenient, efficient, reliable, and applicable approach to ensure proper working conditions at construction sites in high-altitude areas.
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1077-3525
- Volume :
- 20
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- International journal of occupational and environmental health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 25000108
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1179/2049396714Y.0000000068