Bich N Dang1, Chad H Dowell. 1. From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Dr Dang and LCDR Dowell), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Cincinnati, Ohio. LCDR Dowell is currently working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of the Director, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr Dang is currently working at Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Houston, Texas, and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, Texas.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of heat strain and factors associated with heat strain among workers at an aluminum smelter in Texas. METHODS: Continuous core body temperature (T(c)), heart rate, and pre- and postshift serum electrolytes, and urine specific gravity were measured, and symptom questionnaires were administered. RESULTS: Most participants (54%) had 1 or more signs of heat strain. Unacclimatized participants were significantly more likely to exceed the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists-recommended T(c) than acclimatized participants (88% vs 20%; P < 0.01). Participants who exceeded the T(c) for their acclimatization status and/or exceeded the recommended sustained peak HR had a significantly lower body mass index than those who did not (27.6 vs 31.8 and 28.4 vs 32.4, respectively; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Employees and management need to strictly adhere to a heat stress management program to minimize heat stress and strain.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of heat strain and factors associated with heat strain among workers at an aluminum smelter in Texas. METHODS: Continuous core body temperature (T(c)), heart rate, and pre- and postshift serum electrolytes, and urine specific gravity were measured, and symptom questionnaires were administered. RESULTS: Most participants (54%) had 1 or more signs of heat strain. Unacclimatized participants were significantly more likely to exceed the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists-recommended T(c) than acclimatized participants (88% vs 20%; P < 0.01). Participants who exceeded the T(c) for their acclimatization status and/or exceeded the recommended sustained peak HR had a significantly lower body mass index than those who did not (27.6 vs 31.8 and 28.4 vs 32.4, respectively; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Employees and management need to strictly adhere to a heat stress management program to minimize heat stress and strain.
Authors: Diane C Mitchell; Javier Castro; Tracey L Armitage; Alondra J Vega-Arroyo; Sally C Moyce; Daniel J Tancredi; Deborah H Bennett; James H Jones; Tord Kjellstrom; Marc B Schenker Journal: J Occup Environ Med Date: 2017-07 Impact factor: 2.162
Authors: Christopher L Chapman; Hayden W Hess; Rebekah A I Lucas; Jason Glaser; Rajiv Saran; Jennifer Bragg-Gresham; David H Wegman; Erik Hansson; Christopher T Minson; Zachary J Schlader Journal: Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol Date: 2021-06-23 Impact factor: 3.210