LOUHEVAARA VA. Physiological effects associated with the use of respiratory protective devices: A review. Scand J Work Environ Health 10 (1984) 275-281. Several types of filtering (air-purifying) devices, air-line (supplied-air) apparatus, and self-contained breathing apparatus are used at work. The most important parameters of the respiratory protective devices that affect physical work capacity are additional inspiratory and expiratory breathing resistance, dead space, and weight. The main

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... siological effects of the respirators are alterations in breathing pattern, hypoventilation, retention of carbon dioxide, and increase in the work of breathing. The undesirable effects are accentuated during heavy physical work, maximal physical work capacity thereby being reduced. Key terms: breathing pattern, gas exchange, heart rate. I Department of Physiology, Institute of Occupational male, rather young, and well-trained (15, 17, 18). Health, Helsinki, Finland. However, in one investigation (42) they were coal Reprint requests to: Mr V Louhevaara, Institute of Occupa-miners over the age of 45 years, and in another two tional Health, Laajaniityntie 1, SF-01620 Vantaa, Finland. of the nine subjects were women (21).