Safety measures for conducting exercise oxygen consumption, VO2, tests in developing countries.

Abstract

Measurements of rate of oxygen consumption (VO2) recorded during controlled exercise is used to assess cardiovascular health in test individuals. In low- or middle-income countries, where Mycobacterium tuberculosis is common and older VO2 systems are in use, three specific preventative measures should be in place to prevent the transmission of tuberculosis. These include: (1) disinfecting reusable plastic masks and rubber tubing with bleach solution; (2) limiting maximum exposure of test individuals to Cl2 gas to <1-3 ppm for a duration of ≤15 min to prevent respiratory distress; and (3) carefully inspecting for degradation of plastic VO2 masks and rubber tubing repeatedly disinfected with bleach and replace these at the first signs of deterioration.