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Feeling cold at work increases the risk of symptoms from muscles, skin, and airways in seafood industry workers
Author(s) -
Bang Berit E.,
Aasmoe Lisbeth,
Aardal Laila,
Andorsen Gerd Sissel,
Bjørnbakk Anne Kristin,
Egeness Cathrine,
Espejord Ingrid,
Kramvik Eva
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20109
Subject(s) - medicine , norwegian , work (physics) , environmental health , morning , occupational medicine , feeling , work hours , occupational exposure , work environment , office workers , skin temperature , physical therapy , dermatology , operations management , mechanical engineering , social psychology , psychology , philosophy , linguistics , engineering , economics
Background Norwegian workers in seafood industry plants are exposed to a cold and often wet environment. Methods 1,767 seafood industry workers participated in a questionnaire study. Seventeen plants were visited for thermal measurements. Results 15.9% of industrial workers and 1.7% of administrative workers reported that they often felt cold at work. Mean finger temperatures after 1 hr work varied between 16 and 22°C. Foot temperature dropped from morning measurement until lunch time in 85% of the measurements. Industrial workers who reported that they often felt cold, had significantly increased prevalence of symptoms from muscles, skin, and airways while working, compared to workers who reported that they never felt cold at work. Conclusions Moderate cooling, caused by a cold indoor working environment, may increase muscle‐, airway‐, and skin symptoms. The prevalence of feeling cold may be a useful exposure estimate in moderate cold exposure situations. Am. J. Ind. Med. 47:65–71, 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.