Christopher K Uejio1, Laurel Harduar Morano2, Jihoon Jung3, Kristina Kintziger4, Meredith Jagger5, Juanita Chalmers6, Tisha Holmes7. 1. Department of Geography, Florida State University, Bellamy Building Room 323, 113 Collegiate Loop, PO Box 3062190, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA. cuejio@fsu.edu. 2. Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 170 Rosenau Hall CB #7400, 135 Dauer Drive, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA. 3. Department of Geography, Florida State University, Bellamy Building Room 323, 113 Collegiate Loop, PO Box 3062190, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA. 4. Department of Public Health, University of Tennessee, 1914 Andy Holt Avenue, HPER 375, Knoxville, TN, 32996, USA. 5. Office of Injury Prevention, Texas Department of State Health Services, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX, 78714, USA. 6. , Chattanooga, TN, USA. 7. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Florida State University, Bellamy Building, Room 333, 113 Collegiate Loop, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Outdoor workers face elevated and prolonged heat exposures and have limited access to air-conditioned spaces. This study's overarching research aim is to increase knowledge of municipal worker heat exposure and adaptation practices. The study's sub-objectives are: (1) quantifying exposure misclassification from estimating personal heat exposure from the official weather station; (2) surveying worker's knowledge and practices to adapt to extreme heat; and (3) relating heat exposure and adaptation practices to self-reported thermal comfort. METHODS: Participants wore a personal heat exposure sensor over 7 days from June 1st to July 3rd, 2015 in Tallahassee, Florida US. Next, participants confirmed the days that they wore the sensor and reported their daily thermal comfort and heat adaptations. Finally, participants completed an extreme heat knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey. RESULTS: Some participants (37%) experienced hotter and more humid conditions (heat index > 2) than the weather station. The most common heat adaptations were staying hydrated (85%), wearing a hat (46%), and seeking shade (40%). During work hours, higher temperatures increased the odds (odds ratio: 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.41, p = 0.016) of a participant feeling too hot. Shifting work duty indoors made workers to feel more comfortable (odds ratio: 0.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.11-0.70, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: In hot and humid climates, everyday, heat exposures continuously challenge the health of outdoor workers.
PURPOSE: Outdoor workers face elevated and prolonged heat exposures and have limited access to air-conditioned spaces. This study's overarching research aim is to increase knowledge of municipal worker heat exposure and adaptation practices. The study's sub-objectives are: (1) quantifying exposure misclassification from estimating personal heat exposure from the official weather station; (2) surveying worker's knowledge and practices to adapt to extreme heat; and (3) relating heat exposure and adaptation practices to self-reported thermal comfort. METHODS:Participants wore a personal heat exposure sensor over 7 days from June 1st to July 3rd, 2015 in Tallahassee, Florida US. Next, participants confirmed the days that they wore the sensor and reported their daily thermal comfort and heat adaptations. Finally, participants completed an extreme heat knowledge, attitudes, and practices survey. RESULTS: Some participants (37%) experienced hotter and more humid conditions (heat index > 2) than the weather station. The most common heat adaptations were staying hydrated (85%), wearing a hat (46%), and seeking shade (40%). During work hours, higher temperatures increased the odds (odds ratio: 1.21, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-1.41, p = 0.016) of a participant feeling too hot. Shifting work duty indoors made workers to feel more comfortable (odds ratio: 0.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.11-0.70, p = 0.005). CONCLUSION: In hot and humid climates, everyday, heat exposures continuously challenge the health of outdoor workers.
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