Cooling wearable technologies expand for heatstroke prevention

As extreme heat becomes a concern for outdoor workers, particularly in agriculture, various cooling wearable technologies are being utilized to mitigate heatstroke risks. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has encouraged the use of cooling gear to assist workers in high-temperature environments like greenhouses and open fields.

There are three primary types of cooling technologies currently available:

1. Fan-equipped clothing: Uses integrated fans to circulate air inside garments, promoting sweat evaporation to dissipate body heat. 2. Water-based cooling: Includes circulation systems that move chilled water through tubes or evaporative systems that use the cooling properties of water evaporation. 3. Peltier cooling: Utilizes thermoelectric Peltier elements to provide direct contact cooling on areas like the neck or back.

Newer consumer products are integrating these technologies with portable features, such as waist-mounted fans equipped with semiconductor cooling plates and solar panels for auxiliary charging, designed for hands-free use during outdoor activities or emergencies.