Selected safety aspects of whole-body cryochamber operation

Abstract

Cryochambers (cryogenic chambers) are devices designed and used for cryotherapy. The treatment involves exposing the human body to extremely low temperature (below – 100°C) for a short period of time. Cryochambers have been designed and manufactured for over 35 years in Poland. They have usually been used in hospitals and rehabilitation centres. Recently, low-temperature sessions have been lately recognised as an effective method of regeneration and wellness. Therefore, they are becoming available in gyms and beauty centres. Achieving such low temperatures requires the use of gases with properties that may pose a potential risk to cryochamber users. This article presents methods of achieving cryotherapy temperatures, describes the properties of working fluids, safety analysis and risk assessment of cryochamber operation. Special attention has been paid to the cryochambers supplied with 
liquid nitrogen.