OBJECTIVE: This study characterizes physiological measures of heat exposure among US underground miners. METHODS: Core body temperature measured by using ingestible sensors during subjects' normal work shifts was categorized into four temperature zones: less than 37.5 °C, 37.5 °C to less than 38 °C, 38 °C to less than 38.5 °C, and more than or equal to 38.5 °C. RESULTS: On average, subjects changed temperature zones 13.8 times per shift. Temperatures increased above the recommended limit of 38 °C nearly 5 times per shift for an average of 26 minutes each episode. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous heat stress research that reported only maximum and mean temperature measurements, this analysis demonstrates a dynamic pattern of physiologic heat strain, with core body temperatures changing frequently and exceeding the 38 °C limit multiple times per shift. Further research is needed on the impact of multiple short-term, intermittent heat exposures on miners.
OBJECTIVE: This study characterizes physiological measures of heat exposure among US underground miners. METHODS: Core body temperature measured by using ingestible sensors during subjects' normal work shifts was categorized into four temperature zones: less than 37.5 °C, 37.5 °C to less than 38 °C, 38 °C to less than 38.5 °C, and more than or equal to 38.5 °C. RESULTS: On average, subjects changed temperature zones 13.8 times per shift. Temperatures increased above the recommended limit of 38 °C nearly 5 times per shift for an average of 26 minutes each episode. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous heat stress research that reported only maximum and mean temperature measurements, this analysis demonstrates a dynamic pattern of physiologic heat strain, with core body temperatures changing frequently and exceeding the 38 °C limit multiple times per shift. Further research is needed on the impact of multiple short-term, intermittent heat exposures on miners.
Authors: Joseph J Knapik; Michelle Canham-Chervak; Keith Hauret; Mary Jo Laurin; Edward Hoedebecke; Stephen Craig; Scott J Montain Journal: Ann Occup Hyg Date: 2002-01
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