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,

SUBMITTER: Boonruksa P 

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature