Abstract
OBJECTIVE:: The California heat illness prevention study (CHIPS) devised methodology and collected physiological data to assess heat related illness (HRI) risk in Latino farmworkers. METHODS:: Bilingual researchers monitored HRI across a workshift, recording core temperature, work rate (metabolic equivalents [METs]), and heart rate at minute intervals. Hydration status was assessed by changes in weight and blood osmolality. Personal data loggers and a weather station measured exposure to heat. Interviewer administered questionnaires were used to collect demographic and occupational information. RESULTS:: California farmworkers (n?=?588) were assessed. Acceptable quality data was obtained from 80% of participants (core temperature) to 100% of participants (weight change). Workers (8.3%) experienced a core body temperature more than or equal to 38.5?°C and 11.8% experienced dehydration (lost more than 1.5% of body weight). CONCLUSIONS:: Methodology is presented for the first comprehensive physiological assessment of HRI risk in California farmworkers.
Original language | English (US) |
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Journal | Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine |
DOIs | |
State | Accepted/In press - Apr 14 2017 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health