The evaluation of heat stress through monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses in melting and casting industries workers
Aims: Evaluation of heat stress in workers exposed to hot/dry conditions of melting and casting industry is imperative for management of heat stress. This study aims to compare results of heat strain evaluation by monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses. Materials and Methods:...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2012-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijehe.org/article.asp?issn=2277-9183;year=2012;volume=1;issue=1;spage=21;epage=21;aulast=Dehghan |
| _version_ | 1818754387509510144 |
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| author | Habibollah Dehghan Seyed Bagher Mortazavi Mohammad Javad Jafari Mohammad Reza Maracy Mahdi Jahangiri |
| author_facet | Habibollah Dehghan Seyed Bagher Mortazavi Mohammad Javad Jafari Mohammad Reza Maracy Mahdi Jahangiri |
| author_sort | Habibollah Dehghan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aims: Evaluation of heat stress in workers exposed to hot/dry conditions of melting and casting industry is imperative for management of heat stress. This study aims to compare results of heat strain evaluation by monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 51 workers of a large melting and casting company in 2010. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, heart rate and ear canal temperature were measured by WBGT meter, heart rate monitor and personal heat stress monitor, respectively. Physical activity intensity was assessed based on the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test.
Results: WBGT index in 64.7% of workstations exceeded 30°C and in 41.2% was over 32°C. The value of WBGT index in 69% of work stations exceeded the threshold limit of the ACGIH standard. The physiological strain index (PSI) in 31% of worker was higher than 5, although its mean measured at 3.8 (1.8). Increase in the ear canal temperature in 64.7% of cases (33 persons) was over 1°C. Correlation between WBGT index with ear canal temperature and PSI index, adjusted body mass index and age, was 0.67 and 0.69 (P < 0.0001).
Conclusion: In hot/dry conditions of melting and casting processes, despite moderate correlation between WBGT index with ear canal temperature and PSI index, work-rest cycles of WBGT index is not applicable for many of the workstations. Therefore, heat stress evaluation based on physiological variables probably has higher validity and is more appropriate. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T05:22:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2c5abee4bfec4bbf8c2dec02594e6e36 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2277-9183 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T05:22:27Z |
| publishDate | 2012-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-2c5abee4bfec4bbf8c2dec02594e6e362022-12-21T21:19:36ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsInternational Journal of Environmental Health Engineering2277-91832012-01-0111212110.4103/2277-9183.96144The evaluation of heat stress through monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses in melting and casting industries workersHabibollah DehghanSeyed Bagher MortazaviMohammad Javad JafariMohammad Reza MaracyMahdi JahangiriAims: Evaluation of heat stress in workers exposed to hot/dry conditions of melting and casting industry is imperative for management of heat stress. This study aims to compare results of heat strain evaluation by monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses. Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 51 workers of a large melting and casting company in 2010. Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) index, heart rate and ear canal temperature were measured by WBGT meter, heart rate monitor and personal heat stress monitor, respectively. Physical activity intensity was assessed based on the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test. Results: WBGT index in 64.7% of workstations exceeded 30°C and in 41.2% was over 32°C. The value of WBGT index in 69% of work stations exceeded the threshold limit of the ACGIH standard. The physiological strain index (PSI) in 31% of worker was higher than 5, although its mean measured at 3.8 (1.8). Increase in the ear canal temperature in 64.7% of cases (33 persons) was over 1°C. Correlation between WBGT index with ear canal temperature and PSI index, adjusted body mass index and age, was 0.67 and 0.69 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: In hot/dry conditions of melting and casting processes, despite moderate correlation between WBGT index with ear canal temperature and PSI index, work-rest cycles of WBGT index is not applicable for many of the workstations. Therefore, heat stress evaluation based on physiological variables probably has higher validity and is more appropriate.http://www.ijehe.org/article.asp?issn=2277-9183;year=2012;volume=1;issue=1;spage=21;epage=21;aulast=DehghanEar canal temperatureheart rateheat stresshot/dry conditionsWBGT indexPSI index |
| spellingShingle | Habibollah Dehghan Seyed Bagher Mortazavi Mohammad Javad Jafari Mohammad Reza Maracy Mahdi Jahangiri The evaluation of heat stress through monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses in melting and casting industries workers International Journal of Environmental Health Engineering Ear canal temperature heart rate heat stress hot/dry conditions WBGT index PSI index |
| title | The evaluation of heat stress through monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses in melting and casting industries workers |
| title_full | The evaluation of heat stress through monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses in melting and casting industries workers |
| title_fullStr | The evaluation of heat stress through monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses in melting and casting industries workers |
| title_full_unstemmed | The evaluation of heat stress through monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses in melting and casting industries workers |
| title_short | The evaluation of heat stress through monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses in melting and casting industries workers |
| title_sort | evaluation of heat stress through monitoring environmental factors and physiological responses in melting and casting industries workers |
| topic | Ear canal temperature heart rate heat stress hot/dry conditions WBGT index PSI index |
| url | http://www.ijehe.org/article.asp?issn=2277-9183;year=2012;volume=1;issue=1;spage=21;epage=21;aulast=Dehghan |
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