Changes in face and hands skin temperatures during exposure to moderate cold thermal environment

Exposure to cold thermal environment was found to be a significant risk factor in industrial activities. The aim of this study was to simulate a repetitive cheese packing movement in a laboratory environment and investigate the influence of moderate cold on changes in hand and face skin temperature. Thermographic images were taken after ten and thirty-five minutes of exposure, in order to evaluate the influence cold on volunteers. Five volunteers were exposed to moderate cold and seven to thermo-neutral temperature. All volunteers were female and in the first phase of the menstrual cycle. The findings of this investigation show that there is a big difference in skin temperatures between the left and right hand. Further investigation should be conducted in different cold thermal environment conditions, considering moderate and severe cold, considering both genders, but always considering the follicular phase when dealing with female volunteers.