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Heat exposure in sugarcane harvesters in Costa Rica
Author(s) -
Crowe Jennifer,
Wesseling Catharina,
Solano Bryan Román,
Umaña Manfred Pinto,
Ramírez Andrés Robles,
Kjellstrom Tord,
Morales David,
Nilsson Maria
Publication year - 2013
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.22204
Subject(s) - wet bulb globe temperature , medicine , heat stress , toxicology , environmental health , occupational exposure , occupational medicine , work (physics) , environmental science , zoology , mechanical engineering , engineering , biology
Background Occupational heat stress is a major concern in sugarcane production and has been hypothesized as a causal factor of a chronic kidney disease epidemic in Central America. This study described working conditions of sugarcane harvesters in Costa Rica and quantified their exposure to heat. Methods Non‐participatory observation and Wet Bulb Globe Temperatures (WBGT) according to Spanish NTP (Technical Prevention Notes) guidelines were utilized to quantify the risk of heat stress. OSHA recommendations were used to identify corresponding exposure limit values. Results Sugarcane harvesters carried out labor‐intensive work with a metabolic load of 261 W/m 2 (6.8 kcal/min), corresponding to a limit value of 26° WBGT which was reached by 7:30 am on most days. After 9:15 am, OSHA recommendations would require that workers only work 25% of each hour to avoid health risks from heat. Conclusions Sugarcane harvesters are at risk for heat stress for the majority of the work shift. Immediate action is warranted to reduce such exposures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:1157–1164, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.