Outdoor occupational environments and heat stress in IRAN
نویسندگان
چکیده
BACKGROUND The present study aimed at demonstrating the heat stress situation (distribution and intensity) based on a standard and common heat stress index, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), during hot seasons and interpret the obtained results considering global warming and rising temperature in different parts of the country based on climate changes studied in Iran. METHODS Heat stress assessment was done using WBGT index. Environmental parameters were measured simultaneously in the early, middle and end of shift work. The personal parameters including cloth thermal insulation and metabolic rate of 242 participants from 9 climatic categories were recorded for estimating effective WBGT (measured WBGT plus cloth adjustment factor as well as metabolic rate effect). The values of the indicator were categorized in the statistical software media and then linked to the climatic zoning of the data in the GIS information layers, in which, WBGT values relating to selected stations were given generalization to similar climatic regionalization. RESULTS The obtained results showed that in the summer about 60 % and more than 75 % of the measurements relating to 12 pm and 3 pm, respectively, were in heat stress situations (i.e. the average amount of heat stress index was higher than 28 °C). These values were found to be about 20-25 % in the spring. Moreover, only in the early hours of shift work in spring could safe conditions be seen throughout the country. This situation gradually decreased in the middle of the day hours and was replaced by the warning status and stress. And finally, in the final hours of shift work thermal stresses reached their peaks. These conditions for the summer were worse. CONCLUSIONS Regarding several studies related to climate change in Iran and the results of present study, heat stress, especially in the central and southern parts of Iran, can be exacerbated in the decades to come if climate change and rising temperature occurs. Therefore, paying attention to this critical issue and adopting macro-management policies and programs in the field of workplace health is essential.
منابع مشابه
Investigation of occupational studies performed by environmental heat stress indices in Iran: A systematic review
Introduction: Many studies, especially in recent years, have evaluated and controlled the occupational heat stress in Iran using environmental indices. However, so far, no comprehensive study has been conducted to review and classify these studies. Therefore, this study aimed to review and investigate the occupational studies performed by environmental heat stress indices in Iran. Material and...
متن کاملValidation of Heat Pressure Assessment (HPA) Method and WBGT index in Iranian South Oil Company
Introduction: Determining methods for assessing heat stress in different work environments is one of the major challenges for researchers in this field. The purpose of this study was to validate WBGT index and heat pressure assessment (HPA) by some physiological responses in Iranian South Oil Company. Material and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was carried out on 154 employees of K...
متن کاملApplicability of Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) in occupational heat stress assessment: a case study in brick industries
The present study aimed to investigate the applicability of Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) as an innovative and science-based index in public health researches, in occupational heat stress assessment. All indoor and outdoor workers (200 people) of Brick industries of Shahroud, Iran participated in the research. First, the environmental variables such as air temperature, wet-bulb tempera...
متن کاملOccupational Heat Stress in Outdoor Settings Considering the Regional Climate Change in the Future Decades in Iran
Background and aims: Nowadays, global warming and climate change have become one of the controversial topics that have an impact on the health of individuals and the threat to human life. In recent decades, particular attention has been paid to the issue of environmental change and its impact from different perspectives. Many studies have been conducted to study these effects (generally from a ...
متن کاملمواجهه با استرس گرمایی در محیط های شغلی (مطالعات میدانی): مطالعه مروری سیستماتیک
Background:and aims Working in hot environments is one of the common physical risks factor in the workplace, which can also cause heat-related illnesses and various health effects on workers, and also increasing the risk of injuries and occupational accidents. The purpose of this paper is review conducted studies about heat stress in different countries, investigation the indices of heat stress...
متن کاملDetermination of Air Enthalpy Based on Meteorological Data as an Indicator for Heat Stress Assessment in Occupational Outdoor Environments, a Field Study in IRAN.
BACKGROUND Heat stress evaluation and timely notification, especially using meteorological data is an important issue attracted attention in recent years. Therefore, this study aimed at answering the following research questions: 1) can enthalpy as a common environmental parameter reported by meteorological agencies be applied accurately for evaluation of thermal condition of outdoor settings, ...
متن کامل