Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat
Abstract Background The objectives of the present study are to: (i) evaluate the effect of environmental and metabolic heat on heat-related illnesses in outdoor workers; and (ii) evaluate the effect of personal factors, including heat acclimation, on the risk of heat-related illnesses in outdoor wor...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Korean Society of Occupational & Environmental Medicine
2017-06-01
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| Series: | Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40557-017-0183-y |
| _version_ | 1811236731061534720 |
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| author | Jungsun Park Yangho Kim Inbo Oh |
| author_facet | Jungsun Park Yangho Kim Inbo Oh |
| author_sort | Jungsun Park |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The objectives of the present study are to: (i) evaluate the effect of environmental and metabolic heat on heat-related illnesses in outdoor workers; and (ii) evaluate the effect of personal factors, including heat acclimation, on the risk of heat-related illnesses in outdoor workers. Methods We identified 47 cases of illnesses from exposure to environmental heat in outdoor workers in Korea from 2010 to 2014, based on review of workers’ compensation data. We also obtained the information on location, time, and work environment of each heat-related illness. Results Our major results are that 29 cases (61.7%) occurred during a heat wave. Forty five cases (95.7%) occurred when the maximum estimated WBGT (WBGTmax) was equal to or greater than the case specific threshold value which was determined by acclimatization and metabolic rate. Twenty two cases (46.8%) were not acclimated to the heat. Thirty-seven cases (78.7%) occurred after tropical night (temperature above 25 °C), during which many people may find it hard to sleep. Conclusion Personal risk factors such as heat acclimation as well as environmental factors and high metabolic rate during work are the major determinants of heat-related illnesses. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T12:14:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0a07080765b34186b4325bfcb5b80b61 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2052-4374 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T12:14:10Z |
| publishDate | 2017-06-01 |
| publisher | Korean Society of Occupational & Environmental Medicine |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-0a07080765b34186b4325bfcb5b80b612022-12-22T03:33:29ZengKorean Society of Occupational & Environmental MedicineAnnals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine2052-43742017-06-012911610.1186/s40557-017-0183-yFactors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heatJungsun Park0Yangho Kim1Inbo Oh2Department of Occupational Health, Catholic University of DaeguEnvironmental Health Center, University of Ulsan College of MedicineEnvironmental Health Center, University of Ulsan College of MedicineAbstract Background The objectives of the present study are to: (i) evaluate the effect of environmental and metabolic heat on heat-related illnesses in outdoor workers; and (ii) evaluate the effect of personal factors, including heat acclimation, on the risk of heat-related illnesses in outdoor workers. Methods We identified 47 cases of illnesses from exposure to environmental heat in outdoor workers in Korea from 2010 to 2014, based on review of workers’ compensation data. We also obtained the information on location, time, and work environment of each heat-related illness. Results Our major results are that 29 cases (61.7%) occurred during a heat wave. Forty five cases (95.7%) occurred when the maximum estimated WBGT (WBGTmax) was equal to or greater than the case specific threshold value which was determined by acclimatization and metabolic rate. Twenty two cases (46.8%) were not acclimated to the heat. Thirty-seven cases (78.7%) occurred after tropical night (temperature above 25 °C), during which many people may find it hard to sleep. Conclusion Personal risk factors such as heat acclimation as well as environmental factors and high metabolic rate during work are the major determinants of heat-related illnesses.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40557-017-0183-yAcclimationHeat waveTropical nightHeat-related diseaseOutdoorWorkers |
| spellingShingle | Jungsun Park Yangho Kim Inbo Oh Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat Annals of Occupational and Environmental Medicine Acclimation Heat wave Tropical night Heat-related disease Outdoor Workers |
| title | Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat |
| title_full | Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat |
| title_fullStr | Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat |
| title_short | Factors affecting heat-related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat |
| title_sort | factors affecting heat related diseases in outdoor workers exposed to extreme heat |
| topic | Acclimation Heat wave Tropical night Heat-related disease Outdoor Workers |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40557-017-0183-y |
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