Environmental stressors: the effects of raised ambient temperatures and meaningful noise, and their interactions, on human performance and physiological reactions

Two levels of pre-recorded traffic noise and three ambient temperatures at similar levels of water vapour pressure were studied for their effects on the performance of (1) the Tsai-Partington and short-term memory tests, (2) a simple reaction-time test, and (3) a light assembly task over two-hour periods. Measures of urinary sodium, heart rate and body temperatures (by ear canal and two skin probes) were also taken. Analyses show significant simple and interactive effects of heat and noise. The results are consistent with current theories of arousal.