Heat exposure in sugarcane harvesters in Costa Rica

Crowe, Jennifer (author): Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Program on Work, Environment and Health in Central America (SALTRA), Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica

Wesseling, Catharina (author): Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Program on Work, Environment and Health in Central America (SALTRA), Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica

Solano, Bryan Román (author): School of Engineering in Occupational Health and Environmental Hygiene, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Heredia, Costa Rica

Umaña, Manfred Pinto (author): School of Engineering in Occupational Health and Environmental Hygiene, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Heredia, Costa Rica

Ramírez, Andrés Robles (author): School of Engineering in Occupational Health and Environmental Hygiene, Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica, Heredia, Costa Rica

Morales, David (author): Mesoamerican Sustainable Development Center of the Dry Tropics (CEMEDE), Universidad Nacional, Nicoya, Costa Rica

(creator_code:org_t)

2013-06-17
2013
English.
In: American Journal of Industrial Medicine. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0271-3586 .- 1097-0274. ; 56:10, s. 1157-1164

Related links:: https://urn.kb.se/re...; show more...; https://doi.org/10.1...; show less...

Abstract Subject headings

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.

By the author/editor: Crowe, Jennifer; Wesseling, Catha ...; Solano, Bryan Ro ...; Umaña, Manfred P ...; Ramírez, Andrés ...; Kjellström, Tord; show more...; Morales, David; Nilsson, Maria; show less...

About the subject

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES: MEDICAL AND HEAL ...; and Health Sciences; and Public Health Gl ...

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