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Urban Heat Island and Thermal Comfort Assessment in a Medium-Sized Mediterranean City. ATMOSPHERE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/atmos13071102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
One of the greatest issues nowadays is that of the urban heat island effect on the thermal conditions inside cities. The air temperature inside the city core is warmer than that in suburbs, thus deteriorating the quality of life for citizens and making outdoor spaces uncomfortable in terms of thermal comfort. This phenomenon is usually assessed in large scale cities worldwide and less often in medium-sized towns. The current study aimed to investigate the urban heat island effect and, therefore, to assess the outdoor thermal comfort conditions in a medium-sized city. More specifically, the methodology of the current study includes: (i) the combination of different monitoring techniques to quantify the urban heat island effect in a medium-sized Mediterranean city. Both in situ measurements and remote sensing techniques were applied to assess the urban heat island effect in terms of both the canopy layer (CUHI) and the surface (SUHI); (ii) the identification of the parameters that affect thermal comfort and the identification of the most appropriate bioclimatic indices that determine outdoor thermal comfort in the city of interest. Both questionnaire survey and in situ measurements took place on a sidewalk in the city of Xanthi, Northern Greece, during the summer. The CUHI effect was obvious, especially in the morning and afternoon. Downscaled MODIS satellite images also showed that the intensity of SUHI was higher in the morning and afternoon. Apart from air temperature, important differences in the values of most microclimatic parameters were recorded between the meteorological station placed inside the urban area and those gathered from a nearby meteorological station. The narrow roads, the thermal properties of construction materials, and the absence of greenery characterized the area of interest and may be the key factors creating these differences in climate. Concerning the thermal comfort assessment, the most significant parameters were the air temperature and solar radiation, although, both empirical and direct indices were found to describe the comfort values well. According to the results, downscaling techniques are also important for the SUHI effect to be investigating in detail in medium-sized urban environments.
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Wolf ST, Bernard TE, Kenney WL. Heat exposure limits for young unacclimatized males and females at low and high humidity. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2022; 19:415-424. [PMID: 35537193 PMCID: PMC9741844 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2022.2076859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Little is known about the separate and combined influences of humidity conditions, sex, and aerobic fitness on heat tolerance in unacclimatized males and females. The purpose of the current study was to describe heat tolerance, in terms of critical WBGT (WBGTcrit), in unacclimatized young males and females in hot-dry (HD) and warm-humid (WH) environments. Eighteen subjects (9 M/9F; 21 ± 2 yr) were tested during exercise at 30% V̇O2max in a controlled environmental chamber. Progressive heat stress exposures were performed with either (1) constant dry-bulb temperature (Tdb) of 34 and 36 °C and increasing ambient water vapor pressure (Pa) (Pcrit trials; WH); or (2) constant Pa of 12 and 16 mmHg and increasing Tdb (Tcrit trials; HD). Chamber Tdb and Pa, and subject esophageal temperature (Tes), were continuously monitored throughout each trial. After a 30-min equilibration period, progressive heat stress continued until subject heat balance could no longer be maintained and a clear rise in Tes was observed. Absolute WBGTcrit and WBGTcrit adjusted to a metabolic rate of 300 W (WBGT300), and the difference between WBGTcrit and occupational exposure limits (OEL; ΔOEL) was assessed. WBGTcrit, WBGT300, and ΔOEL were higher in WH compared to HD (p < 0.0001) for females but were the same between environments for males (p ≥ 0.21). WBGTcrit was higher in females compared to males in WH (p < 0.0001) but was similar between sexes in HD (p = 0.44). When controlling for metabolic rate, WBGT300 and ΔOEL were higher in males compared to females in WH and HD (both p < 0.0001). When controlling for sex, V̇O2max was not associated with WBGT300 or ΔOEL for either sex (r ≤ 0.12, p ≥ 0.49). These findings suggest that WBGTcrit is higher in females compared to males in WH, but not HD, conditions. Additionally, the WBGTcrit is lower in females, but not males, in HD compared to WH conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Tony Wolf
- Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Thomas E. Bernard
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - W. Larry Kenney
- Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
- Graduate Program in Physiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
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Spangler KR, Liang S, Wellenius GA. Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature, Universal Thermal Climate Index, and Other Heat Metrics for US Counties, 2000-2020. Sci Data 2022; 9:326. [PMID: 35715416 PMCID: PMC9206009 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-022-01405-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidemiologic research on extreme heat consistently finds significant impacts on human morbidity and mortality. However, most of these analyses do not use spatially explicit measures of heat (typically assessing exposures at major cities using the nearest weather station), and they frequently consider only ambient temperature or heat index. The field is moving toward more expansive analyses that use spatially resolved gridded meteorological datasets and alternative assessments of heat, such as wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and universal thermal climate index (UTCI), both of which require technical geoscientific skills that may be inaccessible to many public health researchers. To facilitate research in this domain, we created a database of population-weighted, spatially explicit daily heat metrics - including WBGT, UTCI, heat index, dewpoint temperature, net effective temperature, and humidex - for counties in the conterminous United States derived from the ERA5-Land gridded data set and using previously validated equations and algorithms. We also provide an R package to calculate these metrics, including gold-standard algorithms for estimating WBGT and UTCI, to facilitate replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith R Spangler
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Shixin Liang
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University, Department of Mathematics & Statistics, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gregory A Wellenius
- Boston University School of Public Health, Department of Environmental Health, Boston, MA, USA
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Lewandowski SA, Shaman JL. Heat stress morbidity among US military personnel: Daily exposure and lagged response (1998-2019). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2022; 66:1199-1208. [PMID: 35292853 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02269-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Heat stress illnesses represent a rising public health threat; however, associations between environmental heat and observed adverse health outcomes across populations and geographies remain insufficiently elucidated to evaluate risk and develop prevention strategies. In particular, military-relevant large-scale studies of daily heat stress morbidity responses among physically active, working-age adults to various indices of heat have been limited. We evaluated daily means, maximums, minimums, and early morning measures of temperature, heat index, and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) indices, assessing their association with 31,642 case-definition heat stroke and heat exhaustion encounters among active duty servicemembers diagnosed at 24 continental US installations from 1998 to 2019. We utilized anonymized encounter data consisting of hospitalizations, ambulatory (out-patient) visits, and reportable events to define heat stress illness cases and select the 24 installations with the highest case counts. We derived daily indices of heat from hourly-scale gridded climate data and applied a case-crossover study design incorporating distributed-lag, nonlinear models with 5 days of lag to estimate odds ratios at one-degree increments for each index of heat. All indices exhibited nonlinear odds ratios with short-term lag effects throughout observed temperature ranges. Responses were positive, monotonic, and exponential in nature, except for maximum daily WBGT, minimum daily temperature, temperature at 0600 h (local), and WBGT at 0600 h (local), which, while generally increasing, showed decreasing risk for the highest heat category days. The risk for a heat stress illness on a day with a maximum WBGT of 32.2 °C (90.0 °F) was 1.93 (95% CI, 1.82 - 2.05) times greater than on a day with a maximum WBGT of 28.6 °C (83.4 °F). The risk was 2.53 (2.36-2.71) times greater on days with a maximum heat index of 40.6 °C (105 °F) compared to 32.8 °C (91.0 °F). Our findings suggest that prevention efforts may benefit from including prior-day heat levels in risk assessments, from monitoring temperature and heat index in addition to WBGT, and by promoting control measures and awareness across all heat categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Lewandowski
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th St., New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Jeffrey L Shaman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 West 168th St., New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Kang M, Kim KR, Lee JY, Shin JY. Determination of thermal sensation levels for Koreans based on perceived temperature and climate chamber experiments with hot and humid settings. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2022; 66:1095-1107. [PMID: 35244763 PMCID: PMC9132799 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-022-02261-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
People perceive thermal sensation differently despite the same temperature value of thermal comfort index depending on various factors such as climate, culture, and physiological characteristics. The use of the thermal comfort index without optimization may lead to biases in assessment of thermal stress and sensation. This study aims to derive the perceived temperature (PT) ranges of thermal sensation levels related to heat stress for Koreans. The experiments were designed using a controlled environmental chamber to derive the PT ranges and were performed with subjects who are residents of Seoul, South Korea. The experiments were carried out in the summers of 2017 and 2018, and the thermal sensation votes were surveyed from 19 subjects whose mean age, height, weight, and body mass index were 22.5 years, 171 cm, 72 kg, and 23 kg⋅m-2, respectively. The derived PT ranges for Koreans led to a better performance than the reference PT ranges for Germans based on the results of validation. The thresholds of 'Warm,' 'Hot,' and 'Very hot' thermal sensation classes for Koreans were 28 °C, 36 °C, and 43 °C, respectively: higher than those for Germans. The results indicate that Koreans may have higher heat resistance or lower heat sensitivity than Germans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misun Kang
- Operational Systems Development Department, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Seogwipo-si, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyu Rang Kim
- High Impact Weather Research Department, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Seogwipo-si, Republic of Korea.
| | - Joo-Young Lee
- Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju-Young Shin
- High Impact Weather Research Department, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, Seogwipo-si, Republic of Korea
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Hall EJ, Carter AJ, Chico G, Bradbury J, Gentle LK, Barfield D, O’Neill DG. Risk Factors for Severe and Fatal Heat-Related Illness in UK Dogs—A VetCompass Study. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9050231. [PMID: 35622759 PMCID: PMC9144152 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9050231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Heat-related illness (HRI) is predicted to increase in dogs due to rising global temperatures. This study evaluated retrospective VetCompass veterinary clinical records to explore geographical variability and ambient conditions associated with HRI events in UK dogs, and report the intrinsic (canine) and extrinsic (location, trigger, ambient weather) risk factors for severe disease and fatal outcome in dogs affected by HRI. Dogs living in London had the greatest odds for developing HRI compared with dogs living in the North West (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.31–2.74). The median ambient temperature on days of HRI events was 16.9 °C. For dogs with HRI, age, bodyweight and trigger were risk factors associated with severe disease. Age, skull shape and clinical grade of HRI presentation were associated with a fatal outcome. Whilst the majority of HRI events overall were triggered by exertion, the risk of severe disease was greater in situations where dogs could not escape the heat source (vehicular confinement), and the risk of death in HRI cases was greater for those dogs with reduced capacity to thermoregulate (older and brachycephalic dogs). These results highlight the need for better owner awareness of the factors that increase the risk of severe and fatal HRI, as a first stage in protecting canine welfare in the face of rising global temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily J. Hall
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Herts AL9 7TA, UK;
- Correspondence: or
| | - Anne J. Carter
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Notts NG25 0QF, UK; (A.J.C.); (G.C.); (L.K.G.)
| | - Guaduneth Chico
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Notts NG25 0QF, UK; (A.J.C.); (G.C.); (L.K.G.)
| | - Jude Bradbury
- Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London WC2A 1EN, UK;
| | - Louise K. Gentle
- School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences, Nottingham Trent University, Notts NG25 0QF, UK; (A.J.C.); (G.C.); (L.K.G.)
| | - Dominic Barfield
- Department of Clinical Science and Services, The Royal Veterinary College, Herts AL9 7TA, UK;
| | - Dan G. O’Neill
- Pathobiology and Population Sciences, The Royal Veterinary College, Herts AL9 7TA, UK;
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Clusiault D, Avery T, Stephens A, Vigna C, Fischer SL. Scoping review on the state of the integration of human physiological responses to evaluating heat-stress. APPLIED ERGONOMICS 2022; 101:103704. [PMID: 35139444 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2022.103704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To determine the state of the literature on assessing heat-stress using physiological parameters. To provide recommendations to the nuclear industry regarding worker heat-stress management practices. METHODS A scoping review identified relevant articles. A search strategy was developed based on a research question concepts. Identified records were screened with inclusion-exclusion criteria. Included articles underwent data extraction using a qualitative data charting method. A thematic analysis and frequency counts were performed. RESULTS 1687 articles were identified through four databases. The final inclusion consisted of 34 studies. Articles were classified by determinants of heat exposure risks: core body temperature (direct and indirect), scoring scale including core body temperature, scoring scale including human perception, and others. Heart rate and rectal temperature were the two most utilized physiological measurements. CONCLUSION A significant amount of literature examined estimation of core temperature using non-invasive methods, sometimes integrated into wearables. Heat-stress management practices could include perceptual measures to better evaluate heat-strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Clusiault
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | | | - Allison Stephens
- Advanced Ergonomics Studies, Fanshawe College, London, ON, Canada
| | - Chris Vigna
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Steven L Fischer
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
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Feasibility of the Olympic marathon under climatic and socioeconomic change. Sci Rep 2022; 12:4010. [PMID: 35256734 PMCID: PMC8901618 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07934-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
There are concerns about the impact of climate change on Olympic Games, especially endurance events, such as marathons. In recent competitions, many marathon runners dropped out of their races due to extreme heat, and it is expected that more areas will be unable to host the Games due to climate change. Here, we show the feasibility of the Olympic marathon considering the variations in climate factors, socioeconomic conditions, and adaptation measures. The number of current possible host cities will decline by up to 27% worldwide by the late twenty-first century. Dozens of emerging cities, especially in Asia, will not be capable of hosting the marathon under the highest emission scenario. Moving the marathon from August to October and holding the Games in multiple cities in the country are effective measures, and they should be considered if we are to maintain the regional diversity of the Games.
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Brownlow M, Mizzi JX. Epidemiology of exertional heat illness in Thoroughbred racehorses in temperate eastern Australia: The role of extrinsic (environmental) factors in disease causation. EQUINE VET EDUC 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/eve.13627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Brownlow
- Racing Australia Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - J. X. Mizzi
- Department of Regulation, Welfare and Biosecurity Policy The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Sha Tin Racecourse Hong Kong Sha Tin China
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60
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The impact of heat on kidney stone presentations in South Carolina under two climate change scenarios. Sci Rep 2022; 12:369. [PMID: 35013464 PMCID: PMC8748744 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-04251-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The risk of kidney stone presentations increases after hot days, likely due to greater insensible water losses resulting in more concentrated urine and altered urinary flow. It is thus expected that higher temperatures from climate change will increase the global prevalence of kidney stones if no adaptation measures are put in place. This study aims to quantify the impact of heat on kidney stone presentations through 2089, using South Carolina as a model state. We used a time series analysis of historical kidney stone presentations (1997–2014) and distributed lag non-linear models to estimate the temperature dependence of kidney stone presentations, and then quantified the projected impact of climate change on future heat-related kidney stone presentations using daily projections of wet-bulb temperatures to 2089, assuming no adaptation or demographic changes. Two climate change models were considered—one assuming aggressive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (RCP 4.5) and one representing uninibited greenhouse gas emissions (RCP 8.5). The estimated total statewide kidney stone presentations attributable to heat are projected to increase by 2.2% in RCP 4.5 and 3.9% in RCP 8.5 by 2085–89 (vs. 2010–2014), with an associated total excess cost of ~ $57 million and ~ $99 million, respectively.
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Sakamoto T, Narita H, Suzuki K, Obinata H, Ogawa K, Suga R, Takahashi H, Nakazawa M, Yamada M, Ogawa S, Yokota H, Yokobori S. Wearing a face mask during controlled-intensity exercise is not a risk factor for exertional heatstroke: A pilot study. Acute Med Surg 2021; 8:e712. [PMID: 34868603 PMCID: PMC8622324 DOI: 10.1002/ams2.712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim This study aimed to measure the influence of wearing face masks on individuals' physical status in a hot and humid environment. Methods Each participant experienced different physical situations: (i) not wearing a mask (control), (ii) wearing a surgical mask, (iii) wearing a sport mask. An ingestible capsule thermometer was used to measure internal core body temperature during different exercises (standing, walking, and running, each for 20 min) in an artificial weather room with the internal wet-bulb globe temperature set at 28°C. The change in the participants' physical status and urinary liver fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) were measured. Results Six healthy male volunteers were enrolled in the study. In each participant, significant changes were observed in the heart rate and internal core temperatures after increased exercise intensity; however, no significant differences were observed between these parameters and urinary L-FABP among the three intervention groups. Conclusion Mask wearing is not a risk factor for heatstroke during increased exercise intensity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taigo Sakamoto
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Nippon Medical School Tokyo Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Narita
- Graduate School of Medical and Health Science Nippon Sport Science University Tokyo Japan
| | - Kensuke Suzuki
- Graduate School of Medical and Health Science Nippon Sport Science University Tokyo Japan
| | - Hirofumi Obinata
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Nippon Medical School Tokyo Japan
| | - Kei Ogawa
- Department of Industrial Administration Tokyo University of Science Tokyo Japan
| | - Ryotaro Suga
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Nippon Medical School Tokyo Japan.,Graduate School of Medical and Health Science Nippon Sport Science University Tokyo Japan
| | - Haruka Takahashi
- Graduate School of Medical and Health Science Nippon Sport Science University Tokyo Japan
| | - Mayumi Nakazawa
- Graduate School of Medical and Health Science Nippon Sport Science University Tokyo Japan
| | - Marina Yamada
- Graduate School of Medical and Health Science Nippon Sport Science University Tokyo Japan
| | - Satoo Ogawa
- Graduate School of Medical and Health Science Nippon Sport Science University Tokyo Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yokota
- Graduate School of Medical and Health Science Nippon Sport Science University Tokyo Japan
| | - Shoji Yokobori
- Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine Nippon Medical School Tokyo Japan
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Islam MA, Lomax S, Doughty A, Islam MR, Jay O, Thomson P, Clark C. Automated Monitoring of Cattle Heat Stress and Its Mitigation. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2021.737213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change related global warming is likely to continue, despite all mitigation measures taken by humans, due to the lag effect of long-term anthropogenic activities. Warming of the atmosphere can impact worldwide cattle production directly by compromising health, welfare and productivity, and indirectly by reducing the quality and quantity of animal feed. Under warm thermal conditions, cattle adjust their physiological and behavioural responses as an integral part of thermoregulation to maintain internal body temperature within a safe range. However, a greater intensity and duration of heat exposure can exceed thermoregulatory capacity leading to an increase in internal body temperature beyond the normal limit that ultimately evokes different animal responses to heat. In cattle, response to heat stress can be visually observed as elevated respiration rate or panting, but continuous visual monitoring is labour intensive, time consuming and subjective. Therefore, different weather-based indices have been developed such as the temperature humidity index (THI) and heat load index (HLI) which are commonly used weather-based indices for monitoring cattle heat stress at commercial level. However, the thermal comfort level of cattle based on weather-based indices has limited use at a microclimatic and individual animal level. Varying sensor-based approaches have shown promise to shift the focus of heat stress management to the individual level. Monitoring individual animal response and mitigation strategies for isolated heat-susceptible cattle could save on heat management costs whilst improving animal welfare and productivity. Here we review the technologies that enable automatic, continuous, and real-time cattle heat stress monitoring and mitigation under commercial conditions. Future platforms for autonomous monitoring and mitigation of heat stress in cattle are likely to be based on minimally-invasive smart technologies either singly, or in an integrated system, enabling real-time solutions to animal responses under various production systems and environmental conditions.
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Vecellio DJ, Bardenhagen EK, Lerman B, Brown RD. The role of outdoor microclimatic features at long-term care facilities in advancing the health of its residents: An integrative review and future strategies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 201:111583. [PMID: 34192557 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Projections show that Earth's climate will continue to warm concurrent with increases in the percentage of the world's elderly population. With an understanding that the body's resilience to the heat degrades as it ages, these coupled phenomena point to serious concerns of heat-related mortality in growing elderly populations. As many of the people in this age cohort choose to live in managed long-term care facilities, it's imperative that outdoor spaces of these communities be made thermally comfortable so that connections with nature and the promotion of non-sedentary activities are maintained. Studies have shown that simply being outside has a positive impact on a broad range of the psychosocial well-being of older adults. However, these spaces must be designed to afford accessibility, safety, and aesthetically pleasing experiences so that they are taken full advantage of. Here, we employ an integrative review to link ideas from the disciplines of climate science, health and physiology, and landscape architecture to explain the connections between heat, increased morbidity and mortality in aging adults, existing gaps in thermal comfort models, and key strategies in the development of useable, comfortable outdoor spaces for older adults. Integrative reviews allow for new frameworks or perspectives on a subject to be introduced. Uncovering the synergy of these three knowledge bases can contribute to guiding microclimatic research, design practitioners, and care providers as they seek safe, comfortable and inviting outdoor spaces for aging adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Vecellio
- Climate Science Lab, Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
| | - Eric K Bardenhagen
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA; Center for Health Systems & Design, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Ben Lerman
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hunter College of the City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert D Brown
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Center for Health Systems & Design, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
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Fukuhara K, Mikami Y, Hasegawa H, Nakashima D, Ikuta Y, Tajima F, Kimura H, Adachi N. Thermoregulatory responses in persons with lower-limb amputation during upper-limb endurance exercise in a hot and humid environment. Prosthet Orthot Int 2021; 45:401-409. [PMID: 34483329 PMCID: PMC9201935 DOI: 10.1097/pxr.0000000000000030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Persons with an amputation may have an increased heat strain due to reduced surface area. However, there is limited evidence on the thermoregulatory responses in persons with lower-limb amputation (LLA). Although a previous study reported no difference in their rectal temperatures (Tres) in a hot environment, suggesting compensatory sweating of the intact limb, we examined the thermoregulatory responses of such persons in a hot and humid environment. OBJECTIVE To compare the thermoregulatory responses-through changes in Tre, sweat, and oxygen uptake (O2)-between persons with LLA and able-bodied (AB) individuals, in hot and humid environments. STUDY DESIGN A nonrandomized control trial. METHODS Nine AB men (AB group) and nine persons with LLA group performed the arm ergometer exercise at 60% peak power output intensity for 60 min in a hot and humid environment, and they were tested before and after performing. The O2, Tre and skin temperature, and total body sweating, and local sweating during exercise were measured and compared between the groups. RESULTS The changes in O2 and Tre after the endurance exercise did not differ between the groups (ΔTre: AB group, 1.1°C ± 0.5°C; LLA group, 1.2°C ±0.3 °C; P = 0.65), whereas the amount of local sweating of the chest (group effect, P < 0.01 by two-way analysis of variance [group × time], the group effect size was medium, η2 = 0.10) and dehydration rate (AB group, 1.5% ± 0.5%; LLA group, 2.1% ± 0.5%; P = 0.03) were higher in the LLA than in the AB group. CONCLUSIONS We compared the thermoregulatory responses of persons with LLA with those of AB individuals in hot and humid environments. Core body temperatures of persons with LLAs during endurance exercise were not different from those of AB men even in hot and humid environments. We found compensatory increases in the sweat rate of the chest and increased dehydration rate in persons with LLA. More sweat potentially means that athletes with LLA need to drink more fulids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kouki Fukuhara
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan
- Sports Medical Center, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Yukio Mikami
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Hasegawa
- Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan
| | | | - Yasunari Ikuta
- Sports Medical Center, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Fumihiro Tajima
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Kimura
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
| | - Nobuo Adachi
- Sports Medical Center, Hiroshima University Hospital, Japan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Hiroshima University, Japan
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66
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Austin AB, Collins SM, Huggins RA, Smith BA, Bowman TG. The Impact of Environmental Conditions on Player Loads During Preseason Training Sessions in Women's Soccer Athletes. J Strength Cond Res 2021; 35:2775-2782. [PMID: 34387222 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000004112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Austin, AB, Collins, SM, Huggins, RA, Smith, BA, and Bowman, TG. The impact of environmental conditions on player loads during preseason training sessions in women's soccer athletes. J Strength Cond Res 35(10): 2775-2782, 2021-Our objective was to determine the impact of environmental conditions on player loads during preseason training sessions in women's soccer athletes. Eleven women's NCAA Division III soccer players (age = 20 ± 1 year, height = 167.28 ± 8.65 cm, body mass = 60.18 ± 5.42 kg, V̇o2max = 43.70 ± 3.95 ml·kg-1·min-1) volunteered to wear Global Positioning System (GPS) devices (Sports Performance Tracking, Melbourne, Australia) that provided measures of training session external intensity throughout all preseason practices (n = 15). We recorded wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT), session Rating of Perceived Exertion-Training Load (sRPE-TL), and ΔBM during each preseason training session and set α ≤ 0.05. The combination of WBGT, sRPE-TL, and ΔBM explained 34% of the variance in GPS-based intensity score (proprietary measure) (F3,153 = 26.25, p < 0.001). Wet-bulb globe temperature (t156 = -2.58, p = 0.01), sRPE (t156 = 8.24, p < 0.001), and ΔBM (t156 = 2.39, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with intensity. The ΔBM from prepractice (60.00 ± 5.21 kg) to postpractice (59.61 ± 5.10 kg) was statistically significant (p < 0.001); however, ΔBM from the beginning of preseason (59.87 ± 5.31 kg) to the end of preseason (59.91 ± 5.58 kg) was not significant (p = 0.89). Despite relatively low to moderate environmental conditions, increases in WBGT were associated with reductions in GPS intensity and elevated internal load via sRPE-TL. Our findings support the association between exercise intensity and WBGT, internal load, and hydration status; thus, coaches and exercise scientists should take these factors into account when monitoring or interpreting intensity metrics. Furthermore, these findings support the continued use of environmental monitoring and hydration best-practice policies to limit exercise intensity in the heat so as to mitigate excessive heat stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sean M Collins
- Exercise Physiology, University of Lynchburg, Lynchburg, Virginia; and
| | - Robert A Huggins
- Korey Stringer Institute, University of Connecticut, Mansfield, Connecticut
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67
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Tustin A, Sayeed Y, Berenji M, Fagan K, McCarthy RB, Green-McKenzie J, McNicholas J, Onigbogi CB, Perkison WB, Butler JW. Prevention of Occupational Heat-Related Illnesses. J Occup Environ Med 2021; 63:e737-e744. [PMID: 34597285 DOI: 10.1097/jom.0000000000002351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
High ambient temperatures and strenuous physical activity put workers at risk for a variety of heat-related illnesses and injuries. Through primary prevention, secondary prevention, and treatment, OEM health providers can protect workers from the adverse effects of heat. This statement by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine provides guidance for OEM providers who serve workers and employers in industries where heat exposure occurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Tustin
- American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Elk Grove, Illinois
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68
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Cheuvront SN, Caldwell AR, Cheuvront PJ, Kenefick RW, Troyanos C. Earlier Boston Marathon Start Time Mitigates Environmental Heat Stress. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2021; 53:1999-2005. [PMID: 33731654 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000002659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to compare the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index and other environmental parameters between early and late Boston Marathon race start times from 1995 to 2016. METHODS Environmental data from 1995 to 2016 (excluding 1996) were used to compare two identical time frames using the 0900-1300 h start versus the 1100-1500 h start. This included the WBGT, dry bulb (Tdb), black globe (Tbg), wet bulb (Twb), solar radiation, relative humidity, and air water vapor pressure. To make comparisons between start times, the difference in the area under the curve (AUC) for each environmental variable was compared within each year with a Wilcoxon signed rank test with a Holm-Bonferroni correction. RESULTS AUC exposures for WBGT (P = 0.027), Twb (P = 0.031), Tdb (P = 0.027), Tbg (P = 0.055), and solar radiation (P = 0.004) were reduced with an earlier start, whereas those for relative humidity and air water vapor pressure were not. Overall, an earlier race start time by 2 h (0900 vs 1100 h) reduced the odds of experiencing a higher flag category 1.42 times (β = 0.1744, P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS The 2007 decision to make the Boston Marathon start time earlier by 2 h has reduced by ~1.4 times the odds that runners will be exposed to environmental conditions associated with exertional heat illness.
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69
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Kaltsatou A, Notley SR, Flouris AD, Kenny GP. An exploratory survey of heat stress management programs in the electric power industry. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2021; 18:436-445. [PMID: 34406910 DOI: 10.1080/15459624.2021.1954187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Workers in the electric power industry commonly perform physically demanding jobs in hot environments, which combined with the protective clothing worn, places them at risk of disease and health problems related to occupational heat stress. With climate change fueling an increase in the occurrence of hot weather, a targeted approach to heat stress management within the industry is needed. To better understand current heat management practices and identify opportunities for refinement, we conducted an exploratory survey among 33 electric utility companies operating in the United States (n = 32) and Canada (n = 1). Forty-six employees responsible for health and safety of company workers completed 26 questions assessing heat stress as a workplace hazard and heat management practices within five categories: (1) use and administration of heat stress management program; (2) surveillance of heat stress and heat strain; (3) job evaluation and heat-mitigation guidance; (4) education and training programs; and (5) treatment of heat-related illness. While a majority of the respondents (87.0%) indicated heat stress is a workplace hazard and their organization has a heat stress management program (78.3%), less than half reported performing real-time monitoring of heat stress in the workplace (47.8%) or tracking worker heat strain (19.6%) (i.e., physiological response to heat stress). However, most organizations indicated they conducted pre-job evaluations for heat stress (71.7%) and implemented an employee training program on managing heat stress (73.9%). The latter included instruction on various short- and long-term heat-mitigation guidance for workers (e.g., use of work exposure limits, hydration protocols) and the prevention (52.2%) and treatment (63.1%) of heat-related illnesses. Altogether, our survey demonstrates that although many companies employ some form of a heat management program, the basic components defining the programs vary and are lacking for some companies. To maximize worker health and safety during work in hot environments, a consensus-based approach, which considers the five basic components of a heat management program, should be employed to formulate effective practices and methodologies for creating an industry-specific heat management strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Kaltsatou
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Exercise Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Sean R Notley
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Andreas D Flouris
- FAME Laboratory, Department of Exercise Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Greece
| | - Glen P Kenny
- Human and Environmental Physiology Research Unit, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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Ebi KL, Capon A, Berry P, Broderick C, de Dear R, Havenith G, Honda Y, Kovats RS, Ma W, Malik A, Morris NB, Nybo L, Seneviratne SI, Vanos J, Jay O. Hot weather and heat extremes: health risks. Lancet 2021; 398:698-708. [PMID: 34419205 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)01208-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 305] [Impact Index Per Article: 101.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Hot ambient conditions and associated heat stress can increase mortality and morbidity, as well as increase adverse pregnancy outcomes and negatively affect mental health. High heat stress can also reduce physical work capacity and motor-cognitive performances, with consequences for productivity, and increase the risk of occupational health problems. Almost half of the global population and more than 1 billion workers are exposed to high heat episodes and about a third of all exposed workers have negative health effects. However, excess deaths and many heat-related health risks are preventable, with appropriate heat action plans involving behavioural strategies and biophysical solutions. Extreme heat events are becoming permanent features of summer seasons worldwide, causing many excess deaths. Heat-related morbidity and mortality are projected to increase further as climate change progresses, with greater risk associated with higher degrees of global warming. Particularly in tropical regions, increased warming might mean that physiological limits related to heat tolerance (survival) will be reached regularly and more often in coming decades. Climate change is interacting with other trends, such as population growth and ageing, urbanisation, and socioeconomic development, that can either exacerbate or ameliorate heat-related hazards. Urban temperatures are further enhanced by anthropogenic heat from vehicular transport and heat waste from buildings. Although there is some evidence of adaptation to increasing temperatures in high-income countries, projections of a hotter future suggest that without investment in research and risk management actions, heat-related morbidity and mortality are likely to increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristie L Ebi
- Center for Health and the Global Environment, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Anthony Capon
- Monash Sustainable Development Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Berry
- Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Carolyn Broderick
- School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, NSW, Australia; The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Richard de Dear
- Indoor Environmental Quality Laboratory, School of Architecture, Design, and Planning, Sydney, NSW, Australia; The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - George Havenith
- Environmental Ergonomics Research Centre, School of Design and Creative Arts, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK
| | - Yasushi Honda
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - R Sari Kovats
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Environmental Change and Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Wei Ma
- School of Public Health and Climate Change and Health Center, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Arunima Malik
- Discipline of Accounting, Business School, Sydney, NSW, Australia; School of Physics, Faculty of Science, ISA, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nathan B Morris
- Thermal Ergonomics Laboratory, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Nybo
- Department of Nutrition, Exercise, and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sonia I Seneviratne
- Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jennifer Vanos
- School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Ollie Jay
- Thermal Ergonomics Laboratory, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney School of Health Sciences, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Sydney School of Public Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, Charles Perkins Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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71
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Brownlow MA, Brotherhood JR. An investigation into environmental variables influencing post-race exertional heat illness in thoroughbred racehorses in temperate eastern Australia. Aust Vet J 2021; 99:473-481. [PMID: 34355381 DOI: 10.1111/avj.13108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Exertional heat illness (EHI) is a syndrome that occurs when metabolic heat production from muscular contraction exceeds the rate at which it can be dissipated. Core body temperature rises to critical levels, causing hyperthermia and central nervous system dysfunction. Best practice for the prevention of EHI centres around early detection, rapid response and aggressive cooling. Advance planning enables risk mitigation measures. The more that is known about EHI in horses, the better prepared those in the positions of responsibility can be to anticipate events in which the risk of EHI may be elevated. This prospective, observational study investigated environmental risk factors associated with the occurrence of EHI. From 2014 to 2018, the number of horses exhibiting the symptoms of post-race EHI was recorded at 73 convenience sampled race meetings. Of the 4809 starters, the signs of EHI were recorded for 457. Thermal environmental data were measured and included ambient temperature, radiant heat, vapor pressure (humidity) and wind speed (WS). Mixed linear regression models were computed to assess the associations between the occurrence and incidence of post-race EHI and the four thermal environmental variables. The analysis showed that vapor pressure and WS had the largest effects on the occurrence of post-race EHI. The major limitations were that the race meetings selected were convenience sampled according to attendance by the first author and individual horse data were not available. EHI is influenced by a complex interaction of independently acting environmental variables, but warm, windless, humid days are most likely to result in the cases of EHI.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Brownlow
- Racing Australia, Druitt Street, Sydney, New South Wales, 2000, Australia
| | - J R Brotherhood
- Discipline of Exercise and Sports Science, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Australia
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Morrissey MC, Casa DJ, Brewer GJ, Adams WM, Hosokawa Y, Benjamin CL, Grundstein AJ, Hostler D, McDermott BP, McQuerry ML, Stearns RL, Filep EM, DeGroot DW, Fulcher J, Flouris AD, Huggins RA, Jacklitsch BL, Jardine JF, Lopez RM, McCarthy RB, Pitisladis Y, Pryor RR, Schlader ZJ, Smith CJ, Smith DL, Spector JT, Vanos JK, Williams WJ, Vargas NT, Yeargin SW. Heat Safety in the Workplace: Modified Delphi Consensus to Establish Strategies and Resources to Protect the US Workers. GEOHEALTH 2021; 5:e2021GH000443. [PMID: 34471788 PMCID: PMC8388206 DOI: 10.1029/2021gh000443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this consensus document was to develop feasible, evidence-based occupational heat safety recommendations to protect the US workers that experience heat stress. Heat safety recommendations were created to protect worker health and to avoid productivity losses associated with occupational heat stress. Recommendations were tailored to be utilized by safety managers, industrial hygienists, and the employers who bear responsibility for implementing heat safety plans. An interdisciplinary roundtable comprised of 51 experts was assembled to create a narrative review summarizing current data and gaps in knowledge within eight heat safety topics: (a) heat hygiene, (b) hydration, (c) heat acclimatization, (d) environmental monitoring, (e) physiological monitoring, (f) body cooling, (g) textiles and personal protective gear, and (h) emergency action plan implementation. The consensus-based recommendations for each topic were created using the Delphi method and evaluated based on scientific evidence, feasibility, and clarity. The current document presents 40 occupational heat safety recommendations across all eight topics. Establishing these recommendations will help organizations and employers create effective heat safety plans for their workplaces, address factors that limit the implementation of heat safety best-practices and protect worker health and productivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret C. Morrissey
- Department of KinesiologyKorey Stringer InstituteUniversity of ConnecticutMansfieldCTUSA
| | - Douglas J. Casa
- Department of KinesiologyKorey Stringer InstituteUniversity of ConnecticutMansfieldCTUSA
| | - Gabrielle J. Brewer
- Department of KinesiologyKorey Stringer InstituteUniversity of ConnecticutMansfieldCTUSA
| | - William M. Adams
- Department of KinesiologyUniversity of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboroNCUSA
| | - Yuri Hosokawa
- Faculty of Sports SciencesWaseda UniversitySaitamaJapan
| | | | | | - David Hostler
- Department of Exercise and Nutrition SciencesCenter for Research and Education in Special EnvironmentsBuffaloNYUSA
| | - Brendon P. McDermott
- Department of Health, Human Performance and RecreationUniversity of ArkansasFayettevilleARUSA
| | | | - Rebecca L. Stearns
- Department of KinesiologyKorey Stringer InstituteUniversity of ConnecticutMansfieldCTUSA
| | - Erica M. Filep
- Department of KinesiologyKorey Stringer InstituteUniversity of ConnecticutMansfieldCTUSA
| | - David W. DeGroot
- Fort Benning Heat CenterMartin Army Community HospitalFort BenningGAUSA
| | | | - Andreas D. Flouris
- Department of Exercise ScienceFAME LaboratoryUniversity of ThessalyTrikalaGreece
| | - Robert A. Huggins
- Department of KinesiologyKorey Stringer InstituteUniversity of ConnecticutMansfieldCTUSA
| | | | - John F. Jardine
- Department of KinesiologyKorey Stringer InstituteUniversity of ConnecticutMansfieldCTUSA
| | - Rebecca M. Lopez
- School of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation SciencesMorsani College of MedicineUniversity of South FloridaTampaFLUSA
| | | | - Yannis Pitisladis
- Collaborating Centre of Sports MedicineUniversity of BrightonBrightonUK
| | - Riana R. Pryor
- Department of Exercise and Nutrition SciencesCenter for Research and Education in Special EnvironmentsBuffaloNYUSA
| | - Zachary J. Schlader
- Department of KinesiologySchool of Public HealthIndiana UniversityBloomingtonIAUSA
| | - Caroline J. Smith
- Department of Health and Exercise ScienceAppalachian State UniversityBooneNCUSA
| | - Denise L. Smith
- Department of Health and Human Physiological SciencesFirst Responder Health and Safety LaboratorySkidmore CollegeSaratoga SpringsNYUSA
| | - June T. Spector
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health SciencesSchool of Public HealthUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWAUSA
| | | | - W. Jon Williams
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL)National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)PittsburghPAUSA
| | - Nicole T. Vargas
- Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Susan W. Yeargin
- Department of Exercise ScienceArnold School of Public HealthUniversity of South CarolinaColumbiaSCUSA
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73
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Ogata S, Takegami M, Ozaki T, Nakashima T, Onozuka D, Murata S, Nakaoku Y, Suzuki K, Hagihara A, Noguchi T, Iihara K, Kitazume K, Morioka T, Yamazaki S, Yoshida T, Yamagata Y, Nishimura K. Heatstroke predictions by machine learning, weather information, and an all-population registry for 12-hour heatstroke alerts. Nat Commun 2021; 12:4575. [PMID: 34321480 PMCID: PMC8319225 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-24823-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aims to develop and validate prediction models for the number of all heatstroke cases, and heatstrokes of hospital admission and death cases per city per 12 h, using multiple weather information and a population-based database for heatstroke patients in 16 Japanese cities (corresponding to around a 10,000,000 population size). In the testing dataset, mean absolute percentage error of generalized linear models with wet bulb globe temperature as the only predictor and the optimal models, respectively, are 43.0% and 14.8% for spikes in the number of all heatstroke cases, and 37.7% and 10.6% for spikes in the number of heatstrokes of hospital admission and death cases. The optimal models predict the spikes in the number of heatstrokes well by machine learning methods including non-linear multivariable predictors and/or under-sampling and bagging. Here, we develop prediction models whose predictive performances are high enough to be implemented in public health settings. In the context of climate change, heatstroke is expected to become an increasingly relevant public health concern. Here, the authors develop and validate prediction models for the number of all heatstroke cases in different cities in Japan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soshiro Ogata
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Misa Takegami
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Taira Ozaki
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Applied Systems Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Engineering, Kansai University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takahiro Nakashima
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Onozuka
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Murata
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuriko Nakaoku
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koyu Suzuki
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akihito Hagihara
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Teruo Noguchi
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koji Iihara
- Director General, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Hospital, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keiichi Kitazume
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Applied Systems Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Engineering, Kansai University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tohru Morioka
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Applied Systems Engineering, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Engineering, Kansai University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shin Yamazaki
- Health and Environmental Risk Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yoshida
- Earth System Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Department of Urban Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Yamagata
- Earth System Division, National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.,Graduate School of System Design and Management, Keio University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Nishimura
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
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Rahman MB, Salam R, Islam ARMT, Tasnuva A, Haque U, Shahid S, Hu Z, Mallick J. Appraising the historical and projected spatiotemporal changes in the heat index in Bangladesh. THEORETICAL AND APPLIED CLIMATOLOGY 2021; 146:125-138. [PMID: 34334853 PMCID: PMC8302469 DOI: 10.1007/s00704-021-03705-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Climate change-derived extreme heat phenomena are one of the major concerns across the globe, including Bangladesh. The appraisal of historical spatiotemporal changes and possible future changes in heat index (HI) is essential for developing heat stress mitigation strategies. However, the climate-health nexus studies in Bangladesh are very limited. This study was intended to appraise the historical and projected changes in HI in Bangladesh. The HI was computed from daily dry bulb temperature and relative humidity. The modified Mann-Kendal (MMK) test and linear regression were used to detect trends in HI for the observed period (1985-2015). The future change in HI was projected for the mid-century (2041-2070) for three Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios, RCP 2.6, 4.5, and 8.5 using the Canadian Earth System Model Second Generation (CanESM2). The results revealed a monotonic rise in the HI and extreme caution conditions, especially in the humid summer season for most parts of Bangladesh for the observed period (1985-2015). Future projections revealed a continuous rise in HI in the forthcoming period (2041-2070). A higher and remarkable increase in the HI was projected in the northern, northeastern, and south-central regions. Among the three scenarios, the RCP 8.5 showed a higher projection of HI both in hot and humid summer compared to the other scenarios. Therefore, Bangladesh should take region-specific adaptation strategies to mitigate the impacts of HI. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00704-021-03705-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahzabin Binte Rahman
- Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, 5400 Bangladesh
| | - Roquia Salam
- Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, 5400 Bangladesh
| | | | - Anjum Tasnuva
- Institute of Disaster Management, Khulna University of Engineering & Technology, Khulna, 9208 Bangladesh
| | - Ubydul Haque
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX USA
| | - Shamsuddin Shahid
- Department of Water & Environmental Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor Malaysia
| | - Zhenghua Hu
- School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044 China
| | - Javed Mallick
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, PO Box 394, Abha, 61411 Saudi Arabia
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Dasgupta S, van Maanen N, Gosling SN, Piontek F, Otto C, Schleussner CF. Effects of climate change on combined labour productivity and supply: an empirical, multi-model study. Lancet Planet Health 2021; 5:e455-e465. [PMID: 34245716 DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(21)00170-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although effects on labour is one of the most tangible and attributable climate impact, our quantification of these effects is insufficient and based on weak methodologies. Partly, this gap is due to the inability to resolve different impact channels, such as changes in time allocation (labour supply) and slowdown of work (labour productivity). Explicitly resolving those in a multi-model inter-comparison framework can help to improve estimates of the effects of climate change on labour effectiveness. METHODS In this empirical, multi-model study, we used a large collection of micro-survey data aggregated to subnational regions across the world to estimate new, robust global and regional temperature and wet-bulb globe temperature exposure-response functions (ERFs) for labour supply. We then assessed the uncertainty in existing labour productivity response functions and derived an augmented mean function. Finally, we combined these two dimensions of labour into a single compound metric (effective labour effects). This combined measure allowed us to estimate the effect of future climate change on both the number of hours worked and on the productivity of workers during their working hours under 1·5°C, 2·0°C, and 3·0°C of global warming. We separately analysed low-exposure (indoors or outdoors in the shade) and high-exposure (outdoor in the sun) sectors. FINDINGS We found differentiated empirical regional and sectoral ERF's for labour supply. Current climate conditions already negatively affect labour effectiveness, particularly in tropical countries. Future climate change will reduce global total labour in the low-exposure sectors by 18 percentage points (range -48·8 to 5·3) under a scenario of 3·0°C warming (24·8 percentage points in the high-exposure sectors). The reductions will be 25·9 percentage points (-48·8 to 2·7) in Africa, 18·6 percentage points (-33·6 to 5·3) in Asia, and 10·4 percentage points (-35·0 to 2·6) in the Americas in the low-exposure sectors. These regional effects are projected to be substantially higher for labour outdoors in full sunlight compared with indoors (or outdoors in the shade) with the average reductions in total labour projected to be 32·8 percentage points (-66·3 to 1·6) in Africa, 25·0 percentage points (-66·3 to 7·0) in Asia, and 16·7 percentage points (-45·5 to 4·4) in the Americas. INTERPRETATION Both labour supply and productivity are projected to decrease under future climate change in most parts of the world, and particularly in tropical regions. Parts of sub-Saharan Africa, south Asia, and southeast Asia are at highest risk under future warming scenarios. The heterogeneous regional response functions suggest that it is necessary to move away from one-size-fits-all response functions to investigate the climate effect on labour. Our findings imply income and distributional consequences in terms of increased inequality and poverty, especially in low-income countries, where the labour effects are projected to be high. FUNDING COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouro Dasgupta
- Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, Venice Italy; Università Ca' Foscari Venezia, Venice, Italy.
| | - Nicole van Maanen
- Climate Analytics, Berlin, Germany; Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon N Gosling
- School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Franziska Piontek
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam, Germany; Leibniz Association, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Christian Otto
- Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam, Germany; Leibniz Association, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Carl-Friedrich Schleussner
- Climate Analytics, Berlin, Germany; Geography Department, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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76
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Toosty NT, Hagishima A, Tanaka KI. Heat health risk assessment analysing heatstroke patients in Fukuoka City, Japan. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0253011. [PMID: 34153053 PMCID: PMC8216561 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0253011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Climate change, as a defining issue of the current time, is causing severe heat-related illness in the context of extremely hot weather conditions. In Japan, the remarkable temperature increase in summer caused by an urban heat island and climate change has become a threat to public health in recent years. Methods This study aimed to determine the potential risk factors for heatstroke by analysing data extracted from the records of emergency transport to the hospital due to heatstroke in Fukuoka City, Japan. In this regard, a negative binomial regression model was used to account for overdispersion in the data. Age-structure analyses of heatstroke patients were also embodied to identify the sub-population of Fukuoka City with the highest susceptibility. Results The daily maximum temperature and wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT), along with differences in both the mean temperature and time-weighted temperature from those of the consecutive past days were detected as significant risk factors for heatstroke. Results indicated that there was a positive association between the resulting risk factors and the probability of heatstroke occurrence. The elderly of Fukuoka City aged 70 years or older were found to be the most vulnerable to heatstroke. Most of the aforementioned risk factors also encountered significant and positive associations with the risk of heatstroke occurrence for the group with highest susceptibility. Conclusion These results can provide insights for health professionals and stakeholders in designing their strategies to reduce heatstroke patients and to secure the emergency transport systems in summer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishat Tasnim Toosty
- Energy and Environmental Engineering, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Kasuga-koen, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka, Japan
- Department of Statistics, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- * E-mail:
| | - Aya Hagishima
- Energy and Environmental Engineering, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Kasuga-koen, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka, Japan
- Faculty of Engineering Sciences, Kyushu University, Kasuga-koen, Kasuga-shi, Fukuoka, Japan
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77
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Vanos JK, Rykaczewski K, Middel A, Vecellio DJ, Brown RD, Gillespie TJ. Improved methods for estimating mean radiant temperature in hot and sunny outdoor settings. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2021; 65:967-983. [PMID: 33909138 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-021-02131-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Thermal comfort research has utilized various sensors and models to estimate the mean radiant temperature (MRT) experienced by a human, including the standard black globe thermometer (SGT), acrylic globe thermometers (AGT), and cylindrical radiation thermometers (CRT). Rather than directly measuring radiation, a temperature is measured in the center of these low-cost sensors that can be related to MRT after theoretically accounting for convection. However, these sensors have not been systematically tested under long-term hot and clear conditions. Further, under variable weather conditions, many issues can arise due to slow response times, shape, inaccuracies in material properties and assumptions, and color (albedo, emissivity) inconsistencies. Here, we assess the performance of MRT produced by various heat transfer models, with and without new average surface temperature ([Formula: see text]) correction factors, using five instruments-the SGT (15 cm, black), tan and black CRTs, gray and black 38 mm AGTs-compared to 3D integral radiation measurements. Measurements were taken on an unobscured roof throughout summer-to-early-fall months in Tempe, Arizona, examining 58 full-sun days. Deviations without correcting for asymmetrical surface heating-found to be the main cause of errors-reached ± 15-20 °C MRT. By accounting for asymmetric heating through [Formula: see text] calculations, new corrective algorithms were derived for the low-cost sensor models. Results show significant improvements in the estimated MRT error for each sensor (i.e., ∆MRTmodel - IRM) when applying the [Formula: see text] corrections. The tan MRTCRT improved from 1.9 ± 6.2 to -0.1 ± 4.4 °C, while the gray AGT and SGT showed improvements from -1.6 ± 7.2 to -0.4 ± 6.3 °C and - 6.6 ± 6.4 to - 0.03 ± 5.7 °C, respectively. The new corrections also eliminated dependence on other meteorological factors (zenith, wind speed). From these results, we provide three simple equations for CRT, AGT, and SGT correction for future research use under warm-hot and clear conditions. This study is the most comprehensive empirical assessment of various low-cost instruments with broad applicability in urban climate and biometeorological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Vanos
- School of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
| | - Konrad Rykaczewski
- School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Ariane Middel
- School of Arts, Media and Engineering, Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Daniel J Vecellio
- Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Robert D Brown
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Terry J Gillespie
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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78
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Xie R, Xu Y, Yang J, Zhang S. Indoor air quality investigation of a badminton hall in humid season through objective and subjective approaches. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:145390. [PMID: 33545480 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the indoor air quality (IAQ) during humid season in an old badminton hall, to explore the IAQ characteristics of natural ventilated sports buildings for public use. The indoor air parameters (temperature, relative humidity and air velocity) and indoor air pollutants (CO2, TVOC, PM2.5 and PM10) were measured. A subjective approach was carried out through questionnaire survey. 185 valid questionnaires were recovered, and 68.7% of the participants had exercised. Results show that the indoor air qualities obtained through objective and subjective approaches were obviously different. Indoor PM, TVOC and CO2 concentrations were normal, but 37.3% of the participants complained about the building materials' smell and 73.5% of the participants reported obvious sweaty odor. Physical activity might reduce a person's sensitivity to the environment. The participants generally felt warm and hot because of the high relative humidity. Post-exercise participants felt significantly hotter than those who did not exercise, and were generally more receptive to IAQ. The method of Fanger was employed to narrow the gap between subjective and objective approaches with a modified parameter, and to furtherly estimate the ventilation. The present study demonstrates the necessity to combine two approaches together to assess the IAQ in sports buildings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoyi Xie
- Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiyang Xu
- Huadong Engineering Corporation Limited, Power Construction Corporation of China, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jinhui Yang
- Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shaozhi Zhang
- Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
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Nunfam VF, Afrifa-Yamoah E, Adusei-Asante K, Van Etten EJ, Frimpong K, Mensah IA, Oosthuizen J. Construct validity and invariance assessment of the social impacts of occupational heat stress scale (SIOHSS) among Ghanaian mining workers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:144911. [PMID: 33736178 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Heat exposure studies over the last decade have shown little attention in assessing and reporting the psychometric properties of the various scales used to measure impacts of occupational heat stress on workers. A descriptive cross-sectional survey including 320 small- and large-scale mining workers was employed to assess the construct validity of the social impacts of occupational heat stress scale (SIOHSS) in the Western Region of Ghana in 2017. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and invariance analysis were carried out using AMOS version 25 and statistical product and service solutions (SPSS) version 26 to examine the model fit and establish consistency correspondingly across multiple groups (gender, age, working hours, type of mining and workplace setting). Empirically, our results depicted that effects on health and safety, behavioural, productivity and social well-being were each found to be reliable, with Cronbach's α of 0.722, 0.807, 0.852 and 0.900 respectively. Though there were issues of insufficient discriminant validity as some average variance extract (AVE) were smaller than the corresponding maximum shared variance (MSV), the CFA showed good model fit indices (CFI = 0.856, GFI = 0.890, TLI = 0.863, SRMR = 0.08, RMSEA = 0.08). Also, the model was variant for all constrained aspects of the structural model indicating a requirement for an adaptation of the instrument across groups. The good to moderate internal consistency and construct validity of the SIOHSS is adequate evidence for the confidence required for its reliability and accuracy in measuring the social impacts of occupational heat stress on workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Fannam Nunfam
- School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Takoradi Technical University, Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana.
| | | | - Kwadwo Adusei-Asante
- School of Arts and Humanities, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | | | - Kwasi Frimpong
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana.
| | | | - Jacques Oosthuizen
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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Sol JA, West MR, Domitrovich JW, Ruby BC. Evaluation of Environmental Conditions on Self-Selected Work and Heat Stress in Wildland Firefighting. Wilderness Environ Med 2021; 32:149-159. [PMID: 34053883 DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2021.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The purpose of this study was to evaluate heat stress occurring in wildfire management activities with variable environmental conditions. METHODS Direct observation and real-time wireless physiological monitoring allowed for weather and physiological metrics, including heart rate, core temperature (Tc), skin temperature, and physiological strain index (PSI), of male (n=193) and female (n=28) wildland firefighters (WLFFs) to be recorded during wildfire management activities. Accelerometry data were used to categorize intensity level of activity. RESULTS Ambient temperature and relative humidity values were used to compute the heat index (HI; n=3891 h) and divided into quartiles (Q1: 13.3-25.1°C; Q2: 25.2-26.4°C; Q3: 26.5-28.9°C; Q4: 29.0-49.1°C). Activity levels remained relatively constant across all HI quartiles. The percentage of time spent performing moderate/vigorous activities was lowest during the hotter Q4 (Q1: 3%; Q2: 2%; Q3: 2%; Q4: 1%). Heart rate, Tc, PSI, and skin temperature associations with HI varied by resource type. Sixty-one percent of WLFFs (n=134) experienced a Tc ≥38.0°C, and 50% of WLFFs (n=111) experienced a PSI ≥6.0. CONCLUSIONS Heat stress was prevalent as WLFFs performed job tasks of varying intensities in all ambient conditions. Spontaneous bouts of arduous labor, duration of work shifts, and other occupation characteristics present the possibility for substantial durations of hyperthermia, although no heat-related injuries occurred in this study. Despite chronic exposure to rugged sloped terrain, load carriage, and environmental conditions, self-regulation and individual attention to managing work:rest appears to be the primary management strategy in mitigating excessive accumulation of body heat in this occupation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Sol
- United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program, Missoula, Montana
| | - Molly R West
- United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program, Missoula, Montana
| | - Joseph W Domitrovich
- United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Technology and Development Program, Missoula, Montana.
| | - Brent C Ruby
- Montana Center for Work Physiology and Exercise Metabolism, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana
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81
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Vanos JK, Grundstein AJ. Variations in Athlete Heat-Loss Potential Between Hot-Dry and Warm-Humid Environments at Equivalent Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature Thresholds. J Athl Train 2021; 55:1190-1198. [PMID: 33112954 DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-313-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Many organizations associated with sports medicine recommend using wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT)-based activity-modification guidelines that are uniform across the country. However, no consideration has been given to whether the WBGT thresholds are appropriate for different weather conditions, such as warm-humid (WH) relative to hot-dry (HD), based on known differences in physiological responses to these environments. OBJECTIVE To identify if personnel in regions with drier conditions and greater evaporative cooling potential should consider using WBGT-based activity-modification thresholds that differ from those in more humid weather. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING Weather stations across the contiguous United States. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) A 15-year hourly WBGT dataset from 217 weather stations across the contiguous United States was used to identify particular combinations of globe temperature, wet-bulb temperature, and air temperature that produce WBGTs of 27.9°C, 30.1°C, and 32.3°C. A total of 71 302 observations were clustered into HD and WH environmental conditions. From these clusters, maximum heat-loss potential and heat-flux values were modeled at equivalent WBGT thresholds with various activity levels, clothing, and equipment configurations. RESULTS We identified strong geographic patterns, with HD conditions predominant in the western half and WH conditions predominant in the eastern half of the country. Heat loss was systematically greater in HD than in WH conditions, indicating an overall less stressful environment, even at equivalent WBGT values. At a WBGT of 32.3°C, this difference was 11 W·m-2 at an activity velocity of 0.3 m·s-1, which doubled for an activity velocity of 0.7 m·s-1. The HD and WH difference increased with the WBGT value, demonstrating that evaporative cooling differences between HD and WH conditions were even greater at a higher, rather than lower, WBGT. CONCLUSIONS Potential heat loss was consistently greater in HD than in WH environments despite equal WBGTs. These findings support the need for further clinical studies to determine the appropriate WBGT thresholds based on environmental and physiological limits to maximize safety while avoiding unnecessary limitations.
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82
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Zhu J, Wang S, Zhang B, Wang D. Adapting to Changing Labor Productivity as a Result of Intensified Heat Stress in a Changing Climate. GEOHEALTH 2021; 5:e2020GH000313. [PMID: 33817537 PMCID: PMC8011619 DOI: 10.1029/2020gh000313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The intensification of heat stress reduces the labor capacity and hence poses a threat to socio-economic development. The reliable projection of the changing climate and the development of sound adaptation strategies are thus desired for adapting to the decreasing labor productivity under climate change. In this study, an optimization modeling approach coupled with dynamical downscaling is proposed to design the optimal adaptation strategies for improving labor productivity under heat stress in China. The future changes in heat stress represented by the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) are projected with a spatial resolution of 25 × 25 km by a regional climate model (RCM) through the dynamical downscaling of its driving global climate model (GCM). Uncertain information such as system costs, environmental costs, and subsidies are also incorporated into the optimization process to provide reliable decision alternatives for improving labor productivity. Results indicate that the intensification of WBGT is overestimated by the GCM compared to the RCM. Such an overestimation can lead to more losses in working hours derived from the GCM than those from the RCM regardless of climate scenarios. Nevertheless, the overestimated heat stress does not alter the regional measures taken to adapt to decreasing labor productivity. Compared to inland regions, the monsoon-affected regions tend to improve labor productivity by applying air conditioning rather than working overtime due to the cost differences. Consequently, decision-makers need to optimally make a balance between working overtime and air conditioning measures to meet sustainable development goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinxin Zhu
- School of Geography and PlanningSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Land Surveying and Geo‐InformaticsThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHong KongChina
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Shenzhen Research InstituteShenzhenChina
| | - Boen Zhang
- Department of Land Surveying and Geo‐InformaticsThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityHong KongChina
| | - Dagang Wang
- School of Geography and PlanningSun Yat‐Sen UniversityGuangzhouChina
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Borg MA, Xiang J, Anikeeva O, Pisaniello D, Hansen A, Zander K, Dear K, Sim MR, Bi P. Occupational heat stress and economic burden: A review of global evidence. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 195:110781. [PMID: 33516686 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.110781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adverse effects of heat on workers' health and work productivity are well documented. However, the resultant economic consequences and productivity loss are less understood. This review aims to summarize the retrospective and potential future economic burden of workplace heat exposure in the context of climate change. METHODS Literature was searched from database inception to October 2020 using Embase, PubMed, and Scopus. Articles were limited to original human studies investigating costs from occupational heat stress in English. RESULTS Twenty studies met criteria for inclusion. Eighteen studies estimated costs secondary to heat-induced labor productivity loss. Predicted global costs from lost worktime, in US$, were 280 billion in 1995, 311 billion in 2010 (≈0.5% of GDP), 2.4-2.5 trillion in 2030 (>1% of GDP) and up to 4.0% of GDP by 2100. Three studies estimated heat-related healthcare expenses from occupational injuries with averaged annual costs (US$) exceeding 1 million in Spain, 1 million in Guangzhou, China and 250,000 in Adelaide, Australia. Low- and middle-income countries and countries with warmer climates had greater losses as a proportion of GDP. Greater costs per worker were observed in outdoor industries, medium-sized businesses, amongst males, and workers aged 25-44 years. CONCLUSIONS The estimated global economic burden of occupational heat stress is substantial. Climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies should be implemented to likely minimize future costs. Further research exploring the relationship between occupational heat stress and related expenses from lost productivity, decreased work efficiency and healthcare, and costs stratified by demographic factors, is warranted. Key messages. The estimated retrospective and future economic burden from occupational heat stress is large. Responding to climate change is crucial to minimize this burden. Analyzing heat-attributable occupational costs may guide the development of workplace heat management policies and practices as part of global warming strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A Borg
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Jianjun Xiang
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Olga Anikeeva
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Dino Pisaniello
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Alana Hansen
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Kerstin Zander
- Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, 0909, Australia.
| | - Keith Dear
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| | - Malcolm R Sim
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventative Medicine, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, 553 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
| | - Peng Bi
- School of Public Health, University of Adelaide, 57 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
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Ranadive N, Desai J, Sathish LM, Knowlton K, Dutta P, Ganguly P, Tiwari A, Jaiswal A, Shah T, Solanki B, Mavalankar D, Hess JJ. Climate Change Adaptation: Prehospital Data Facilitate the Detection of Acute Heat Illness in India. West J Emerg Med 2021; 22:739-749. [PMID: 34125055 PMCID: PMC8203017 DOI: 10.5811/westjem.2020.11.48209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Extreme heat is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, and the incidence of acute heat illness (AHI) will likely increase secondary to anthropogenic climate change. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of AHI are critical; however, relevant diagnostic and surveillance tools have received little attention. In this exploratory cross-sectional and diagnostic accuracy study, we evaluated three tools for use in the prehospital setting: 1) case definitions; 2) portable loggers to measure on-scene heat exposure; and 3) prevalence data for potential AHI risk factors. Methods We enrolled 480 patients who presented to emergency medical services with chief complaints consistent with AHI in Ahmedabad, India, from April–June 2016 in a cross-sectional study. We evaluated AHI case definition test characteristics in reference to trained prehospital provider impressions, compared on-scene heat index measured by portable loggers to weather station measurements, and identified AHI behavioral and environmental risk factors using logistic regression. Results The case definition for heat exhaustion was 23.8% (12.1–39.5%) sensitive and 93.6% (90.9–95.7%) specific. The positive and negative predictive values were 33.5% (20.8–49.0%) and 90.1% (88.5–91.5%), respectively. Mean scene heat index was 6.7°C higher than the mean station heat index (P < 0.001), and station data systematically underestimated heat exposure, particularly for AHI cases. Heat exhaustion cases were associated with on-scene heat index ≥ 49°C (odds ratio [OR] 2.66 [1.13–6.25], P = 0.025) and a history of recent exertion (OR 3.66 [1.30–10.29], P = 0.014), while on-scene air conditioning was protective (OR 0.29 [0.10–0.85], P = 0.024). Conclusion Systematic collection of prehospital data including recent activity history and presence of air conditioning can facilitate early AHI detection, timely intervention, and surveillance. Scene temperature data can be reliably collected and improve heat exposure and AHI risk assessment. Such data may be important elements of surveillance, clinical practice, and climate change adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikhil Ranadive
- University of California, San Francisco-Fresno, Department of Emergency Medicine, Fresno, California.,University of Washington, Center for Health and the Global Environment, Seattle, Washington
| | - Jayraj Desai
- GVK-Emergency Management and Research Institute, Department of Emergency Medicine Learning & Care (Gujarat), Gujurat, India
| | - L M Sathish
- Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Kim Knowlton
- Natural Resources Defense Council, New York City, New York
| | - Priya Dutta
- Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | | | - Abhiyant Tiwari
- Indian Institute of Public Health, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India
| | - Anjali Jaiswal
- Natural Resources Defense Council, New York City, New York
| | - Tejas Shah
- Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Gujarat, India
| | | | | | - Jeremy J Hess
- University of Washington, Department of Emergency Medicine, Seattle, Washington.,University of Washington, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, Seattle, Washington.,University of Washington, Department of Global Health, Seattle, Washington
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85
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Combined LC-MS/MS and 16S rDNA analysis on mice under high temperature and humidity and Herb Yinchen protection mechanism. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5099. [PMID: 33658635 PMCID: PMC7930127 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84694-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
With increased global warming, the impact of high temperature and humidity (HTH) on human health is increasing. Traditional Chinese medicine describes the Herb Yinchen as a remedy for reducing heat and eliminating dampness. This study focused on the impact of HTH conditions on mice and the potential protective effect of Herb Yinchen. Five male Balb/c mouse groups included two normal control groups, two HTH-exposed groups, and one Yinchen-treated group. For either three or ten days, normal and HTH-exposed mice were housed under normal or HTH (33 ± 2 °C,85% relative humidity) conditions, respectively. Yinchen-treated mice, housed under HTH conditions, received the Herb Yinchen decoction for three days. Metabolite profiles of plasma and liver samples from each group were analyzed using LC–MS/MS. Fecal DNA was extracted for 16S rDNA analysis to evaluate the intestinal microbiome. Spearman correlation analysis was performed on metabolites, bacteria, and bile acids that differed between the groups. We found that HTH altered the host metabolite profiles and reduced microbial diversity, causing intestinal microbiome imbalance. Interestingly, Herb Yinchen treatment improved HTH-mediated changes of the metabolite profiles and the intestinal microbiome, restoring them to values observed in normal controls. In conclusion, our study reveals that HTH causes intestinal bacterial disturbances and metabolic disorders in normal mice, while Herb Yinchen could afford protection against such changes.
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86
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Otani S, Funaki Ishizu S, Masumoto T, Amano H, Kurozawa Y. The Effect of Minimum and Maximum Air Temperatures in the Summer on Heat Stroke in Japan: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18041632. [PMID: 33572074 PMCID: PMC7915318 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
An increase in the global surface temperature and changes in urban morphologies are associated with increased heat stress especially in urban areas. This can be one of the contributing factors underlying an increase in heat strokes. We examined the impact of summer minimum air temperatures, which often represent nighttime temperatures, as well as a maximum temperature on a heat stroke. We collected data from the records of daily ambulance transports for heat strokes and meteorological data for July and August of 2017–2019 in the Tottori Prefecture, Japan. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used to determine the association of maximum/minimum air temperatures and the incidence of heat strokes. We used a logistic regression to identify factors associated with the severity of heat strokes. A total of 1108 cases were identified with 373 (33.7%) calls originating in the home (of these, 59.8% were the age of ≥ 75). A total of 65.8% of cases under the age of 18 were related to exercise. Days with a minimum temperature ≥ 25 °C had an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 3.77 (2.19, 6.51) for the incidence of an exercise-related heat stroke (reference: days with a minimum temperature < 23 °C). The odds ratio for a heat stroke occurring at home or for calls for an ambulance to the home was 6.75 (4.47, 10.20). The severity of the heat stroke was associated with older age but not with air temperature. Minimum and maximum air temperatures may be associated with the incidence of heat strokes and in particular the former with non-exertional heat strokes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinji Otani
- International Platform for Dryland Research and Education, Tottori University, Tottori 680-0001, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-857-30-6317
| | - Satomi Funaki Ishizu
- Division of Health Administration and Promotion, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan; (S.F.I.); (T.M.); (H.A.); (Y.K.)
| | - Toshio Masumoto
- Division of Health Administration and Promotion, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan; (S.F.I.); (T.M.); (H.A.); (Y.K.)
| | - Hiroki Amano
- Division of Health Administration and Promotion, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan; (S.F.I.); (T.M.); (H.A.); (Y.K.)
| | - Youichi Kurozawa
- Division of Health Administration and Promotion, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan; (S.F.I.); (T.M.); (H.A.); (Y.K.)
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87
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Al-Bouwarthan M, Quinn MM, Kriebel D, Wegman DH. A Field Evaluation of Construction Workers' Activity, Hydration Status, and Heat Strain in the Extreme Summer Heat of Saudi Arabia. Ann Work Expo Health 2021; 64:522-535. [PMID: 32219304 DOI: 10.1093/annweh/wxaa029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Assess the impact of summer heat exposure (June-September) on residential construction workers in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia by evaluating (i) heart rate (HR) responses, hydration status, and physical workload among workers in indoor and outdoor construction settings, (ii) factors related to physiological responses to work in hot conditions, and (iii) how well wet-bulb globe temperature-based occupational exposure limits (WBGTOELs) predict measures of heat strain. METHODS Twenty-three construction workers (plasterers, tilers, and laborers) contributed 260 person-days of monitoring. Workload energy expenditure, HR, fluid intake, and pre- and postshift urine specific gravity (USG) were measured. Indoor and outdoor heat exposures (WBGT) were measured continuously and a WBGTOEL was calculated. The effects of heat exposure and workload on heart rate reserve (HRR), a measure of cardiovascular strain, were examined with linear mixed models. A metric called 'heat stress exceedance' (HSE) was constructed to summarize whether the environmental heat exposure (WBGT) exceeded the heat stress exposure limit (WBGTOEL). The sensitivity and specificity of the HSE as a predictor of cardiovascular strain (HRR ≥30%) were determined. RESULTS The WBGTOEL was exceeded frequently, on 63 person-days indoors (44%) and 91(78%) outdoors. High-risk HRR occurred on 26 and 36 person-days indoors and outdoors, respectively. The HSE metric showed higher sensitivity for HRR ≥30% outdoors (89%) than indoors (58%) and greater specificity indoors (59%) than outdoors (27%). Workload intensity was generally moderate, with light intensity work more common outdoors. The ability to self-pace work was associated with a lower frequency of HRR ≥30%. USG concentrations indicated that workers began and ended their shifts dehydrated (USG ≥1.020). CONCLUSIONS Construction work where WBGTOEL is commonly exceeded poses health risks. The ability of workers to self-pace may help reduce risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Bouwarthan
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA.,Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Margaret M Quinn
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - David Kriebel
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
| | - David H Wegman
- Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA.,La Isla Network, Ada, MI, USA
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88
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Taylor NAS, Lee JY, Kim S, Notley SR. Physiological interactions with personal-protective clothing, physically demanding work and global warming: An Asia-Pacific perspective. J Therm Biol 2021; 97:102858. [PMID: 33863427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2021.102858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The Asia-Pacific contains over half of the world's population, 21 countries have a Gross Domestic Product <25% of the world's largest economy, many countries have tropical climates and all suffer the impact of global warming. That 'perfect storm' exacerbates the risk of occupational heat illness, yet first responders must perform physically demanding work wearing personal-protective clothing and equipment. Unfortunately, the Eurocentric emphasis of past research has sometimes reduced its applicability to other ethnic groups. To redress that imbalance, relevant contemporary research has been reviewed, to which has been added information applicable to people of Asian, Melanesian and Polynesian ancestry. An epidemiological triad is used to identify the causal agents and host factors of work intolerance within hot-humid climates, commencing with the size dependency of resting metabolism and heat production accompanying load carriage, followed by a progression from the impact of single-layered clothing through to encapsulating ensembles. A morphological hypothesis is presented to account for inter-individual differences in heat production and heat loss, which seems to explain apparent ethnic- and gender-related differences in thermoregulation, at least within thermally compensable states. The mechanisms underlying work intolerance, cardiovascular insufficiency and heat illness are reviewed, along with epidemiological data from the Asia-Pacific. Finally, evidence-based preventative and treatment strategies are presented and updated concerning moisture-management fabrics and barriers, dehydration, pre- and post-exercise cooling, and heat adaptation. An extensive reference list is provided, with >25 recommendations enabling physiologists, occupational health specialists, policy makers, purchasing officers and manufacturers to rapidly extract interpretative outcomes pertinent to the Asia-Pacific.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nigel A S Taylor
- Research Institute of Human Ecology, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
| | - Joo-Young Lee
- Research Institute of Human Ecology, College of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Siyeon Kim
- Human Convergence Technology R&D Department, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Ansan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sean R Notley
- School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
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89
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Kakamu T, Endo S, Hidaka T, Masuishi Y, Kasuga H, Fukushima T. Heat-related illness risk and associated personal and environmental factors of construction workers during work in summer. Sci Rep 2021; 11:1119. [PMID: 33441683 PMCID: PMC7806839 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79876-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat-related illness (HRI) is a common occupational injury, especially in construction workers. To explore the factors related to HRI risk in construction workers under hot outdoor working conditions, we surveyed vital and environmental data of construction workers in the summer season. Sixty-one workers joined the study and the total number of days when their vital data during working hours and environmental data were recorded was 1165. Heart rate with high-risk HRI was determined using the following formula: 180 − 0.65 × age. As a result of the logistic regression analysis, age, working area, maximum skin temperature, and heart rate immediately after warming up were significantly positively related, and experience of construction was significantly negatively related to heart rate with high-risk HRI. Heart rate immediately after warming up may indicate morning fatigue due to reasons such as insufficient sleep, too much alcohol intake the night before, and sickness. Asking morning conditions may lead to the prevention of HRI. For occupational risk management, monitoring of environmental and personal conditions is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeyasu Kakamu
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima City, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan.
| | - Shota Endo
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima City, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Tomoo Hidaka
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima City, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Yusuke Masuishi
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima City, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Hideaki Kasuga
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima City, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
| | - Tetsuhito Fukushima
- Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima City, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima, 960-1295, Japan
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90
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Hosokawa Y, Adams WM, Casa DJ, Vanos JK, Cooper ER, Grundstein AJ, Jay O, McDermott BP, Otani H, Raukar NP, Stearns RL, Tripp BL. Roundtable on Preseason Heat Safety in Secondary School Athletics: Environmental Monitoring During Activities in the Heat. J Athl Train 2021; 56:362-371. [PMID: 33400785 DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-0067.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To develop best-practice recommendations using thermal indices to determine work-to-rest ratios and facilitate further implementation of environmental monitoring for heat safety in secondary school athletics in the United States. DATA SOURCES A narrative review of the current literature in environmental monitoring for heat safety during athletics was conducted by content experts. A list of action-oriented recommendations was established from the narrative review and further refined using the Delphi method. CONCLUSIONS Assessment of wet bulb globe temperature at the site of activity throughout the duration of the event is recommended to assist clinicians and administrators in making appropriate decisions regarding the duration and frequency of activity and rest periods. Activity modification guidelines should be predetermined and approved by stakeholders and should outline specific actions to be followed, such as the work-to-rest ratio, frequency and timing of hydration breaks, and adjustment of total exercise duration, equipment, and clothing. Furthermore, integration of exertional heat illness injury data with environmental condition characteristics is critical for the development of evidence-based heat safety guidelines for secondary school athletics. Athletic trainers play an essential role in conducting prospective injury data collection, recording onsite wet bulb globe temperature levels, and implementing recommendations to protect the health and safety of athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri Hosokawa
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama, Japan
| | - William M Adams
- Department of Kinesiology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
| | - Douglas J Casa
- Korey Stringer Institute, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs
| | | | - Earl R Cooper
- Department of ‖Kinesiology, University of Georgia, Athens
| | | | - Ollie Jay
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Brendon P McDermott
- Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
| | - Hidenori Otani
- Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Himeji Dokkyo University, Hyōgo, Japan
| | - Neha P Raukar
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
| | - Rebecca L Stearns
- Korey Stringer Institute, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs
| | - Brady L Tripp
- Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville
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91
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Bermon S, Adami PE. Meteorological Risks in Doha 2019 Athletics World Championships: Health Considerations From Organizers. Front Sports Act Living 2020; 1:58. [PMID: 33344981 PMCID: PMC7739798 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2019.00058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Doha 2019 IAAF World Championships represent a challenge for athletes, workforce and spectators who could compete, work or attend under likely extreme meteorological conditions. This short article summarizes the methodology used by the IAAF and the Local Organizing Committee doctors to analyze and reduce risks, while complying as much as possible with existing recommendations or policies. The main steps to be completed are identification and description of weather-related risks, description and whenever possible testing of all their possible mitigation measures during test events, revision of these risks once mitigation implemented, and finally drafting a contingency plan for remaining exceptional and impactful occurrences. Such risk management methodology could apply to other sports, ideally from the host city selection to the delivery of the competitive event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stéphane Bermon
- LAMHESS, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France.,Health and Science Department, International Association of Athletics Federations, Monaco, Monaco
| | - Paolo Emilio Adami
- Health and Science Department, International Association of Athletics Federations, Monaco, Monaco.,Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
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92
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Ashworth ET, Cotter JD, Kilding AE. Methods for improving thermal tolerance in military personnel prior to deployment. Mil Med Res 2020; 7:58. [PMID: 33248459 PMCID: PMC7700709 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-020-00287-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Acute exposure to heat, such as that experienced by people arriving into a hotter or more humid environment, can compromise physical and cognitive performance as well as health. In military contexts heat stress is exacerbated by the combination of protective clothing, carried loads, and unique activity profiles, making them susceptible to heat illnesses. As the operational environment is dynamic and unpredictable, strategies to minimize the effects of heat should be planned and conducted prior to deployment. This review explores how heat acclimation (HA) prior to deployment may attenuate the effects of heat by initiating physiological and behavioural adaptations to more efficiently and effectively protect thermal homeostasis, thereby improving performance and reducing heat illness risk. HA usually requires access to heat chamber facilities and takes weeks to conduct, which can often make it impractical and infeasible, especially if there are other training requirements and expectations. Recent research in athletic populations has produced protocols that are more feasible and accessible by reducing the time taken to induce adaptations, as well as exploring new methods such as passive HA. These protocols use shorter HA periods or minimise additional training requirements respectively, while still invoking key physiological adaptations, such as lowered core temperature, reduced heart rate and increased sweat rate at a given intensity. For deployments of special units at short notice (< 1 day) it might be optimal to use heat re-acclimation to maintain an elevated baseline of heat tolerance for long periods in anticipation of such an event. Methods practical for military groups are yet to be fully understood, therefore further investigation into the effectiveness of HA methods is required to establish the most effective and feasible approach to implement them within military groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward Tom Ashworth
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), Auckland University of Technology, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale, Auckland, 0632 New Zealand
| | - James David Cotter
- School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago 9016 New Zealand
| | - Andrew Edward Kilding
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), Auckland University of Technology, 17 Antares Place, Rosedale, Auckland, 0632 New Zealand
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93
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Shin JY, Kim KR, Ha JC. Intensity-duration-frequency relationship of WBGT extremes using regional frequency analysis in South Korea. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 190:109964. [PMID: 32739268 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The risk levels of heat-related extreme events need to be estimated for prediction and real-time monitoring to mitigate their impacts on air quality, public health, the ecosystem, and critical infrastructure. Many countries have adopted meteorological variable base thresholds for assessing the risk level of heat-related extreme events. These thresholds provide an approximate risk level for a specific event but do not consider its intensity and duration in the risk assessment. The current study provides a statistical tool to assess the risk of heat-related extreme events while concurrently considering their intensities and durations based on the wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT). To this end, the intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) relationship of the extreme WBGT in South Korea was derived. Regional frequency analysis was employed to understand the IDF relationship. Return levels of heat-related extreme events in South Korea were calculated and their characteristics were investigated based on the annual maximum WBGT observations. The results showed that the IDF relationship could provide the risks of heat-related extreme events while concurrently considering their intensities and durations. The extreme WBGT in South Korea was used to categorize two regions such as coastal and inland based on their statistical characteristics. The return levels of the annual maximum WBGT events were found to vary largely by location. The return levels corresponding to 32 °C with 3-h duration for stations in the coastal and inland regions ranged from 1- to 100-years and 3- to 1000-years, respectively. Mean values of return levels for heatwave events in Seoul, Incheon, Daejon, Gwangju, Daegu, and Busan were 2.8-, 8.4-, 15.3-, 2.8-, 1.6-, and 2.2-years, respectively. The return levels of heatwaves for the warmer cities are smaller than those for cooler cities. The return levels of the heatwave events in South Korea showed a significant increasing trend in several cities, supporting the notion that the impact of heatwave events on South Korea might become more severe in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ju-Young Shin
- Applied Meteorology Research Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, South Korea
| | - Kyu Rang Kim
- Applied Meteorology Research Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, South Korea.
| | - Jong-Chul Ha
- Applied Meteorology Research Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, South Korea
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94
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Yazdanirad S, Golbabaei F, Foroushani AR, Monazzam MR, Dehghan H. Development and validation of an environmental heat strain risk assessment (EHSRA) index using structural equation modeling based on empirical relations. Environ Health Prev Med 2020; 25:63. [PMID: 33115400 PMCID: PMC7594439 DOI: 10.1186/s12199-020-00894-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Need to a simple, available, accurate, comprehensive, and valid indicator is felt to assess thermal effects. Therefore, the present study was aimed to develop and validate the environmental heat strain risk assessment (EHSRA) index using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on empirical relations. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on 201 male workers in environments with various climatic conditions. The heart rate and tympanic temperature of the individuals were monitored at times of 30, 60, and 90 min after beginning the work. At these times, values of dry temperature, wet temperature, globe temperature, and air velocity were also measured and metabolism rate and clothing thermal insulation value were estimated. At the end, a theoretical model was depicted in AMOS software and obtained coefficients were applied to develop a novel index. The scores of this indicator were categorized into four risk levels via ROC curves and validate using linear regression analysis. Results Indirect effect coefficients of the globe temperature, dry temperature, wet temperature, air velocity, metabolism, and clothing thermal insulation variables on the tympanic temperature were computed by 0.77, 0.75, 0.69, 0.24, 0.49, and 0.39, respectively. These coefficients were applied to develop the index. Optimal cut-off points of boundaries between risk levels included 12.02, 15.88, and 17.56. The results showed that the EHSRA index justified 75% of the variations of the tympanic temperature (R2 = 0.75). Conclusions The novel index possesses appropriate validity. It was suggested that this indicator is applied and validated in various environments in the next studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeid Yazdanirad
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farideh Golbabaei
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Rahimi Foroushani
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Monazzam
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Habibollah Dehghan
- Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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95
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Grundstein A, Vanos J. There is no ‘Swiss Army Knife’ of thermal indices: the importance of considering ‘why?’ and ‘for whom?’ when modelling heat stress in sport. Br J Sports Med 2020; 55:822-824. [DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-102920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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96
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Racinais S, Alhammoud M, Nasir N, Bahr R. Epidemiology and risk factors for heat illness: 11 years of Heat Stress Monitoring Programme data from the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour. Br J Sports Med 2020; 55:831-835. [DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
ObjectivesTo analyse 11 years of FIVB heat stress-monitoring data to determine the relative influence of the different environmental parameters in increasing the likelihood of a heat-related medical time-out (MTOheat).MethodsA total of 8530 matches were recorded. The referee measured air temperature, black globe temperature, relative humidity and wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) before the matches, and registered the MTOheat. The absolute humidity was computed at posteriori.ResultsThere were 20 MTOheat cases, but only 3 resulted in forfeiting the match. MTOheat incidence was not statistically impacted by sex (p=0.59). MTOheat cases were more prevalent during the games played in Asia during the 4th quarter of the year (p<0.001). Two cases of MTOheat experienced diarrhoea or gastroenteritis during the 5 preceding days; both of them forfeited the match. A principal component analysis showed a specific environmental profile for the matches with MTOheat. They occurred at higher WBGT, temperatures and absolute humidity (p<0.001), but with a lower relative humidity (p=0.027).ConclusionsThe current data showed that an increase in ambient or black globe temperature, but not relative humidity, increased the risk of a MTOheat; but that the absolute risk remained low in elite beach volleyball players. However, suffering or recovering from a recent illness may represent a risk factor for a MTOheat to lead to player forfeit.
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97
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Lee SW, Kim IG, Kim HM, Lee DG, Lee HC, Choi G. Spatio-temporal patterns of the minimum rest time for outdoor workers exposed to summer heat stress in South Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2020; 64:1755-1765. [PMID: 32588145 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-020-01956-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the spatio-temporal characteristics of the minimum rest time for the safety of South Korean outdoor workers during hot summer months (June to August) are examined based on the hourly wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) across 27 weather stations in South Korea. The WBGT thresholds in the work-rest recommendation of the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA 2017) for the quantification of the minimum rest time are evaluated through a comparison of the given thresholds with the occurrences of occupational heat-related illness patients due to outdoor work during hot summer months in South Korea. The long-term (2009-2018) average of the hourly WBGT values during summer months shows that outdoor workers with a moderate workload are exposed to heat stress during approximately 30% of the entire daytime working hours (06:00-18:00). According to the WBGT thresholds modified from the KOSHA (2017) guidelines, the daily minimum rest time for a moderate workload noticeably increases up to 18% (11 min/h) in mid-summer (late July and early August). During mid-summer, the minimum rest time for a continuous moderate outdoor workload even increases up to 31% (18 min/h) between 12:00 and 13:00 and is regionally higher in the southwestern than in the southeastern regions of the Korean Peninsula. These results suggest that in summertime high-heat environments, a mandatory rest time must be provided according to appropriate heat management programs for the safety of workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Wook Lee
- Innovative Meteorological Research Department, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, 33 Seohobuk-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, Republic of Korea
- Major of Geography Education, Jeju National University, 102, Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - In-Gyum Kim
- Planning and Finance Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, 33 Seohobuk-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Min Kim
- Planning and Finance Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, 33 Seohobuk-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Geun Lee
- Planning and Finance Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, 33 Seohobuk-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Choon Lee
- Planning and Finance Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences, 33 Seohobuk-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju, Republic of Korea
| | - Gwangyong Choi
- Major of Geography Education, Jeju National University, 102, Jejudaehak-ro, Jeju-si, Jeju, Republic of Korea.
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98
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Identifying Tree Traits for Cooling Urban Heat Islands—A Cross-City Empirical Analysis. FORESTS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/f11101064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Research Highlights: This paper presents a cross-city empirical study on micro-climatic thermal benefits of urban trees, using machine-learning analysis to identify the importance of several in situ measured tree physiognomy traits for cooling. Background and Objectives: Green infrastructure and trees in particular play a key role in mitigating the urban heat island (UHI) effect. A more detailed understanding of the cooling potential of urban trees and specific tree traits is necessary to support tree management decisions for cooling our progressively hot cities. The goal of this study was to identify the influence and importance of various tree traits and site conditions. Materials and Methods: Surface temperature, air temperature at 1.1 m and at tree crown height, as well as wet bulb globe-temperature of shaded and fully sun-exposed reference areas, were used to study the cooling effect of seven different urban tree species. For all 100 individuals, tree height, crown base, trunk circumference, crown volume, crown area, leaf area index (LAI) and leaf area density (LAD) were measured. Measurements were conducted in the cities of Dresden, Salzburg, Szeged, and Vienna as representatives for middle European cities in different climate zones. Results: Beside site conditions, tree species, height, height of crown base, as well as trunk circumference, have a great influence on the cooling effect for city dwellers. The trunk circumference is a very valuable indicator for estimating climate regulating ecosystem services and therefore a highly robust estimator for policy makers and tree management practitioners when planning and managing urban green areas for improving the availability and provision of ecosystem services.
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99
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Scarneo-Miller SE, Belval LN, Yeargin SW, Hosokawa Y, Kerr ZY, Casa DJ. Exertional Heat Illness Preparedness Strategies: Environmental Monitoring Policies in United States High Schools. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 56:medicina56100486. [PMID: 32977387 PMCID: PMC7597963 DOI: 10.3390/medicina56100486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Environmental monitoring allows for an analysis of the ambient conditions affecting a physically active person’s ability to thermoregulate and can be used to assess exertional heat illness risk. Using public health models such as the precaution adoption process model (PAPM) can help identify individual’s readiness to act to adopt environmental monitoring policies for the safety of high school athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the adoption of policies and procedures used for monitoring and modifying activity in the heat in United States (US) high schools. Materials and Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, we distributed an online questionnaire to athletic trainers (ATs) working in high schools in the US. The questionnaire was developed based on best practice standards related to environmental monitoring and modification of activity in the heat as outlined in the 2015 National Athletic Trainers’ Association Position Statement: Exertional Heat Illness. The PAPM was used to frame questions as it allows for the identification of ATs’ readiness to act. PAPM includes eight stages: unaware of the need for the policy, unaware if the school has this policy, unengaged, undecided, decided not to act, decided to act, acting, and maintaining. Invitations were sent via email and social media and resulted in 529 complete responses. Data were aggregated and presented as proportions. Results: Overall, 161 (161/529, 30.4%) ATs report they do not have a written policy and procedure for the prevention and management of exertional heat stroke. The policy component with the highest adoption was modifying the use of protective equipment (acting = 8.2%, maintaining = 77.5%). In addition, 28% of ATs report adoption of all seven components for a comprehensive environmental monitoring policy. Conclusions: These findings indicate a lack of adoption of environmental monitoring policies in US high schools. Secondarily, the PAPM, facilitators and barriers data highlight areas to focus future efforts to enhance adoption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E. Scarneo-Miller
- Division of Athletic Training, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26508, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Luke N. Belval
- Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern and Texas Health Resources Presbyterian Hospital Dallas, Dallas, TX 75231, USA;
| | - Susan W. Yeargin
- Department of Exercise Science, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA;
| | - Yuri Hosokawa
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Saitama 359-1192, Japan;
| | - Zachary Y. Kerr
- Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
| | - Douglas J. Casa
- Korey Stringer Institute, Department of Kinesiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA;
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100
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Williams ML. Global warming, heat-related illnesses, and the dermatologist. Int J Womens Dermatol 2020; 7:70-84. [PMID: 33537396 PMCID: PMC7838243 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Global warming, provoked by the greenhouse effect of high levels of atmospheric gases (most notably carbon dioxide and methane), directly threatens human health and survival. Individuals vary in their capacity to tolerate episodes of extreme heat. Because skin is the organ tasked with heat dissipation, it is important for dermatologists to be versed in the physiology of cutaneous heat dissipation and cognizant of clinical settings in which the skin’s thermoregulatory responses may be impaired. When the external temperature is lower than that of the skin, the skin releases internal heat through direct thermal exchange with the environment, a process that is aided by an expansion of cutaneous blood flow and eccrine sweating. Cooling through the evaporation of sweat is effective even when the external temperature exceeds that of skin. Many factors, including environmental and physiological (e.g., age and sex), and pathological (e.g., preexisting illnesses, disorders of eccrine function, and medications) considerations, affect the skin’s capacity to thermoregulate. Identification of individuals at increased risk for heat-related morbidity and mortality will become increasingly important in the care of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary L Williams
- Departments of Dermatology and Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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