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Heat Stress, Physiological Response, and Heat-Related Symptoms among Thai Sugarcane Workers.

ABSTRACT: Prolonged or intense exposure to heat can lead to a range of health effects. This study investigated heat exposure and heat-related symptoms which sugarcane workers (90 sugarcane cutters and 93 factory workers) experienced during a harvesting season in Thailand. During the hottest month of harvesting season, wet bulb globe temperature was collected in the work environment, and workloads observed, to assess heat stress. Urine samples for dehydration test, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temperature were measured pre- and post-shift to measure heat strain. Fluid intake and heat-related symptoms which subjects had experienced during the harvesting season were gathered via interviews at the end of the season. From the results, sugarcane cutters showed high risk for heat stress and strain, unlike factory workers who had low risk based on the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygiene (ACGIH) threshold limit values (TLVs) for heat stress. Dehydration was observed among sugarcane cutters and significant physiological changes including heart rate, body temperature, and systolic blood pressure occurred across the work shift. Significantly more sugarcane cutters reported experiencing heat-related symptoms including weakness/fatigue, heavy sweating, headache, rash, muscle cramp, dry mouth, dizziness, fever, dry/cracking skin, and swelling, compared to sugarcane factory workers. We conclude that the heat stress experienced by sugarcane cutters working in extremely hot environments, with high workloads, is associated with acute health effects. Preventive and control measures for heat stress are needed to reduce the risk of heat strain.

SUBMITTER: Boonruksa P

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7503547 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Heat Stress, Physiological Response, and Heat-Related Symptoms among Thai Sugarcane Workers.

Boonruksa Pongsit P Maturachon Thatkhwan T Kongtip Pornpimol P Woskie Susan S

International journal of environmental research and public health 20200901 17

Prolonged or intense exposure to heat can lead to a range of health effects. This study investigated heat exposure and heat-related symptoms which sugarcane workers (90 sugarcane cutters and 93 factory workers) experienced during a harvesting season in Thailand. During the hottest month of harvesting season, wet bulb globe temperature was collected in the work environment, and workloads observed, to assess heat stress. Urine samples for dehydration test, blood pressure, heart rate, and body temp ...[more]

PMID: 32882881

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Project description:BackgroundAn epidemic of CKD in Central America predominantly affects males working in certain industries, including sugarcane. Urinary tract infections are commonly diagnosed among men in Nicaragua, who often receive antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for urinary symptoms.MethodsWe followed 251 male Nicaraguan sugarcane workers in seven job tasks over one harvest and measured urine dipstick parameters, kidney injury biomarkers, and eGFR. We administered a questionnaire about urinary symptoms, health-related behaviors, and medication history. We cultured urine in a subset of workers.ResultsThe study population was composed of factory workers (23%), cane cutters (20%), irrigators (20%), drivers (16%), agrichemical applicators (12%), seeders/reseeders (6%), and seed cutters (4%). The mean age of participants was 33.9 years, and mean employment duration was 10.1 years. Cane cutters reported higher proportions of urinary-related symptoms compared with agrichemical applicators, irrigators, and seeders/reseeders. Seed cutters were more likely to take antibiotics (22%), whereas drivers and seeders/reseeders were more likely to take pain medications (27% and 27%, respectively). Proteinuria was uncommon, whereas dipstick leukocyte esterase was relatively common, especially among cane cutters, seed cutters, and seeders/reseeders (33%, 22%, and 21% at late harvest, respectively). Dipstick leukocyte esterase at late harvest was associated with a 12.9 ml/min per 1.73 m2 (95% CI, -18.7 to -7.0) lower mean eGFR and 2.8 times (95% CI, 1.8 to 4.3) higher mean neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. In general, workers who reported urinary-related symptoms had higher mean kidney injury biomarker levels at late harvest. None of the workers had positive urine cultures, including those reporting urinary symptoms and/or with positive leukocyte esterase results. Amoxicillin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen were the most commonly used medications.ConclusionsJob task is associated with urinary symptoms and dipstick leukocyte esterase. Urinary tract infection is misdiagnosed based on leukocyte esterase, which may be an important predictor of kidney outcomes.

Project description:BackgroundFew studies have examined cold-related symptoms among cold workplace workers in Thailand. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cold-related cardiorespiratory, circulatory, and general symptoms and performance degradation among Thai chicken industry workers and identify vulnerable groups.MethodsOverall, 422 workers aged from 18 to 57 years at four chicken meat factories in Thailand were interviewed for cold-related symptoms and complaints. The results were expressed in terms of model-based adjusted prevalence and prevalence differences (PDs) in percentage points (pp) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsIn total, 76.1% of the respondents reported cold-related respiratory symptoms, 24.6% reported cardiac symptoms, 68.6% reported circulatory symptoms, and 72.1% reported general symptoms. In addition, 82.7% of the respondents reported performance degradation. Cold-related respiratory symptoms increased by PD 29.0 pp. (95% CI 23.4-34.6) from the lowest to the highest educational group, with a similar pattern observed in performance degradation. Forklift drivers and storage and manufacturing workers complained of cold-related respiratory symptoms more than office staff (PD 22.1 pp., 95% CI 12.8-31.3; 12.0 pp., 95% CI 2.4-21.6; and 17.5 pp., 95% CI 11.5-23.6, respectively); they also reported more performance degradation (PD 24.1 pp., 95% CI 17.0-31.2; 19.8 pp., 95% CI 14.1-25.6; and 14.8 pp., 95% CI 8.0-22.6, respectively). Weekly alcohol consumers reported more performance problems owing to cold (PD 18.2 pp., 95% CI 13.9-22.6) than non-consumers of alcohol. Cardiac and circulation symptoms were more common in women than men (PD 10.0 pp., 95% CI 1.1-18.9; and 8.4 pp., 95% CI 0.5-16.4, respectively). The age trend in performance issues was curved, with the highest prevalence among those aged 35-44 years, while the oldest workers (45-57 years) perceived less cold-related symptoms, particularly thirst.ConclusionsCold-related symptoms and performance degradation were found to be common in this industry, with vulnerable groups comprising of highly educated workers, forklift drivers, storage and manufacturing workers, weekly alcohol consumers, aging workers, and women. The results demonstrate a need for further research on the adequacy of protection provided against the cold, particularly given that global warming will increase the contrast between cold workplaces and outdoor heat.

Dataset Information

Heat Stress, Physiological Response, and Heat-Related Symptoms among Thai Sugarcane Workers.

Publications

Heat Stress, Physiological Response, and Heat-Related Symptoms among Thai Sugarcane Workers.

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