What is Evaporative Cooling & Why is it Important?

Evaporative Cooling Technology is a high-performance solution developed to help specifically to help regulate body temperature in hot environments. There are many cooling workwear solutions available all designed to combat heat stress and improve safety, comfort, and productivity across industries.

Photograph showing construction workers wearing the DesertKewl cooling solution with evaporative cooling neck collar and wrist cuffs

This short FAQ provides an overview of how the technology works, how to use it effectively, and why it's essential in the face of rising global temperatures.

#1 - What is the Evaporative Cooling Technology?

The primary component is a super-absorbent fibre (SAF) based fabric that can be integrated into a variety of workwear garments and accessories. This highly technical fabric exhibits high levels of conformability and structural integrity within a garment, enabling both rapid and even fluid retention when activated.

#2 - Is Evaporative Cooling Technology safe?

Importantly, the SAF used is both non-toxic and inorganic, helping to inhibit bacterial growth without the need for additional chemicals or post-production chemical surface coatings and sprays.

#3 - Has the technology been tested?

The super-absorbant materials used are produced in medical-grade facilities using manufacturing techniques similar to those employed for dressings and bandages. Each production roll undergoes strict quality control against set product standards adhering to BSI standards for Medical ISO9000, ISO13485 and CE Marking.

#4 - What cooling workwear garments can be made with this technology?

This adaptable fabric has been developed and used in a wide variety of workwear garments including safety vests, hard hat accessories, neck scarves, wrist wraps, and ranger hats.

Our cooling solutions are trusted by high-profile brands and institutions such as Adidas, BMW, Harley-Davidson, JSP, MSA, and across the middle east in the oil and gas, construction and petrochemical sectors.

#5 - How does the cooling process work?

Evaporative Cooling Technology works very simply through the absorption and slow release of water via evaporation. The super-absorbant fabric provides exceptional moisture retention and gradual release, enabling extended cooling performance often over a number of hours post activation.

The activation process is also very simple, soaking the garment or accessory in fresh water for 2–3 minutes. This allows the fibres to fully absorb water, which is then released slowly for an evaporative cooling benefit that lasts approximately 5–10 hours.

The exact duration of cooling depends upon a number of factors:

• The amount of water absorbed

• Ambient temperature

• Low airflow over the garment

• High relative humidity

  
  

In environments with restricted airflow or high humidity, the rate of evaporation, and therefore the cooling effect, can be significantly reduced. In such conditions, Phase Change Cooling Technology is recommended as a more effective alternative. Unlike evaporative cooling, phase change garments regulate temperature using materials that absorb and release thermal energy at specific temperatures, providing consistent cooling regardless of external humidity or airflow.

Heat Stress Global offers both evaporative and phase change cooling technologies to ensure workers remain safe and comfortable in any climate. Contact us for guidance on selecting the optimal solution for your specific environment and operational needs.

#6 - Can cooling workwear garments be re-used?

Absolutely yes! The fabric is engineered for up to 150 wet/dry cycles and can be laundered safely at 60 degrees. This equates to a 'season' of use in most industrial settings, outlasting most traditional workwear products.

Garment care and storage are also paramount for a long service life as is the use of clean / fresh water when activating the garment pre-task.

And finally . . . why is cooling workwear important in a time of global climate change?

As global temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, workers in sectors such as construction, oil & gas, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, and live events are increasingly exposed to dangerous levels of sustained heat.

Further, heat stress is proven to impair performance, reduce concentration, and increase the risk of accidents, illness, or even fatalities. As such, cooling workwear is essential in protecting worker health and welfare whilst adhering to common workplace safety standards.

At Heat Stress Global we recognise that the integration of advanced cooling workwear solutions is not just a comfort consideration or nice to have, rather a critical intervention to ensure safety and efficiency in a dangerously warming world.

To learn more about our cooling workwear range and our heat stress pilot studies just contact sales@heatstressglobal.com