What Researchers Did
Researchers tested air-activated chemical warming devices for auto-ignition and maximum temperatures under ambient and hyperbaric oxygen conditions.
What They Found
Testing of ThermaCare Heat Wraps, Playtex Heat Therapy, and Heat Factory disposable warm packs revealed a maximum temperature of 269 degrees F (132 degrees C) when exposed to hyperbaric oxygen conditions (3 atm abs and > 95% oxygen). No spontaneous ignition was observed in any of the tested devices. However, the increased temperature suggests a significantly higher risk of thermal burn injury.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
Canadian patients should be aware that using air-activated chemical warming devices in hyperbaric oxygen environments can significantly increase their temperature. This heightened temperature poses an increased risk of thermal burn injury, and such devices should be avoided during hyperbaric oxygen treatments.
Canadian Relevance
This study has no direct Canadian connection.
Study Limitations
The study's findings are based on specific brands of warming devices and controlled laboratory conditions, which may not fully represent all real-world scenarios or device types.