RESUMO
An ongoing epidemic of chronic kidney disease of uncertain etiology (CKDu) afflicts large parts of Central America and is hypothesized to be linked to heat stress at work. Mortality rates from CKDu appear to have increased dramatically since the 1970s. To explore this relationship, we assessed trends in maximum and minimum temperatures during harvest months between 1973 and 2014 as well as in the number of days during the harvest season for which the maximum temperature surpassed 35 °C. Data were collected at a weather station at a Nicaraguan sugar company where large numbers of workers have been affected by CKDu. Monthly averages of the daily maximum temperatures between 1996 and 2014 were also compared to concurrent weather data from eight Automated Surface Observing System Network weather stations across Nicaragua. Our objectives were to assess changes in temperature across harvest seasons, estimate the number of days that workers were at risk of heat-related illness and compare daily maximum temperatures across various sites in Nicaragua. The monthly average daily maximum temperature during the harvest season increased by 0.7 °C per decade between 1973 and 1990. The number of days per harvest season with a maximum temperature over 35 °C increased by approximately five days per year between 1974 and 1990, from 32 days to 114 days. Between 1991 and 2013, the number of harvest days with a maximum temperature over 35 °C decreased by two days per year, and the monthly average daily maximum temperature decreased by 0.3 °C per decade. Comparisons with weather stations across Nicaragua demonstrate that this company is located in one of the consistently hottest regions of the country.
Assuntos
Clima , Insuficiência Renal Crônica , América Central , Temperatura Alta , Humanos , Nicarágua/epidemiologia , Insuficiência Renal Crônica/epidemiologia , Estações do Ano , Temperatura , Tempo (Meteorologia)RESUMO
ABSTRACT: This study evaluated the occupational exposure of workers to heat during manual harvesting of coffee. The case study was conducted between May to August. Occupational heat in coffee plantations was evaluated using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) method and the metabolic rate. The WBGT was obtained using the TGD 400 thermal stress meter. The determined WBGT values were compared to two standards: the Occupational Hygiene Standard (NHO) 06 and Regulatory Norm (NR) 09. For acclimatized workers, the exposure limit was not exceeded at any time during the evaluated period. Fornon-acclimatized workers, the exposure limit was not exceeded only in July.
RESUMO: O presente trabalhado teve como objetivo avaliar a exposição ocupacional de trabalhadores ao calor durante a colheita manual do cafeeiro. O estudo de caso foi desenvolvido entre os meses de maio a agosto. Avaliou-se o calor ocupacional em lavoura cafeeira através do método do Índice Bulbo Úmido Termômetro de Globo (IBUTG) e taxa metabólica. O IBUTG foi obtido utilizando o medidor de estresse térmico TGD 400. Os valores do IBUTG determinados foram comparados com duas normativas: Norma de Higiene Ocupacional (NHO) 06 e Norma Regulamentadora (NR) 09. Para trabalhadores aclimatizados o limite de exposição não foi superado em nenhum momento do período avaliado. Em relação aos trabalhadores não aclimatizados o limite de exposição não foi superado apenas em julho.
RESUMO
This study evaluated the occupational exposure of workers to heat during manual harvesting of coffee. The case study was conducted between May to August. Occupational heat in coffee plantations was evaluated using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) method and the metabolic rate. The WBGT was obtained using the TGD 400 thermal stress meter. The determined WBGT values were compared to two standards: the Occupational Hygiene Standard (NHO) 06 and Regulatory Norm (NR) 09. For acclimatized workers, the exposure limit was not exceeded at any time during the evaluated period. Fornon-acclimatized workers, the exposure limit was not exceeded only in July.
O presente trabalhado teve como objetivo avaliar a exposição ocupacional de trabalhadores ao calor durante a colheita manual do cafeeiro. O estudo de caso foi desenvolvido entre os meses de maio a agosto. Avaliou-se o calor ocupacional em lavoura cafeeira através do método do Índice Bulbo Úmido Termômetro de Globo (IBUTG) e taxa metabólica. O IBUTG foi obtido utilizando o medidor de estresse térmico TGD 400. Os valores do IBUTG determinados foram comparados com duas normativas: Norma de Higiene Ocupacional (NHO) 06 e Norma Regulamentadora (NR) 09. Para trabalhadores aclimatizados o limite de exposição não foi superado em nenhum momento do período avaliado. Em relação aos trabalhadores não aclimatizados o limite de exposição não foi superado apenas em julho.
Assuntos
Humanos , Aclimatação/efeitos da radiação , Adaptação Fisiológica/efeitos da radiação , CaféRESUMO
This study evaluated the occupational exposure of workers to heat during manual harvesting of coffee. The case study was conducted between May to August. Occupational heat in coffee plantations was evaluated using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) method and the metabolic rate. The WBGT was obtained using the TGD 400 thermal stress meter. The determined WBGT values were compared to two standards: the Occupational Hygiene Standard (NHO) 06 and Regulatory Norm (NR) 09. For acclimatized workers, the exposure limit was not exceeded at any time during the evaluated period. Fornon-acclimatized workers, the exposure limit was not exceeded only in July.(AU)
O presente trabalhado teve como objetivo avaliar a exposição ocupacional de trabalhadores ao calor durante a colheita manual do cafeeiro. O estudo de caso foi desenvolvido entre os meses de maio a agosto. Avaliou-se o calor ocupacional em lavoura cafeeira através do método do Índice Bulbo Úmido Termômetro de Globo (IBUTG) e taxa metabólica. O IBUTG foi obtido utilizando o medidor de estresse térmico TGD 400. Os valores do IBUTG determinados foram comparados com duas normativas: Norma de Higiene Ocupacional (NHO) 06 e Norma Regulamentadora (NR) 09. Para trabalhadores aclimatizados o limite de exposição não foi superado em nenhum momento do período avaliado. Em relação aos trabalhadores não aclimatizados o limite de exposição não foi superado apenas em julho.(AU)
Assuntos
Humanos , Aclimatação/efeitos da radiação , Adaptação Fisiológica/efeitos da radiação , CaféRESUMO
During the application of phytosanitary products in coffee trees, workers may be exposed to temperatures that could compromise their health. Exposure to occupational heat can lead to progressive dehydration, cramps, exhaustion and the possibility of thermal shock. Thus, knowing the levels of occupational heat that workers are exposed becomes important. This study aimed to evaluate workers' occupational exposure to heat during the application of phytosanitary products with manual costal pump in the coffee crops. The case study was developed at the IFSULDEMINAS school farm - Campus Inconfidentes in the months of September and October 2017. The occupational heat in the coffee crop was evaluated using the WBGTAVERAGE method, using TGD 400 thermal stress meter. The WBGT values found were compared to the exposure limits of NR 15 for the purposes of insalubrity classification and with NHO 06 for acclimatized and non-acclimatized workers. The results showed that the WBGT found is below the tolerance limit of NR 15, for the month of September. In October, the tolerance limit was exceeded in the period from 11:00 a.m. to 2:59 p.m., considering a continuous heavy activity and rest in the workplace, and the activity considered unhealthy. Considering the criteria of the NHO 06 it was observed that the limits of occupational exposure were exceeded in the month of October, for acclimatized and non-acclimatized workers. In September the occupational exposure limit of NHO 06 was exceeded only for non-acclimated workers. Therefore, the workers should be submitted to acclimatization during the phytosanitary application activity in the month of October.
Durante a aplicação de produtos fitossanitários no cafeeiro os trabalhadores podem estar expostos a temperaturas capazes de comprometer sua saúde. Exposição ao calor ocupacional pode levar a desidratação progressiva, câimbras, exaustão e possibilidade de choque térmico. Desta forma, conhecer os níveis de calor ocupacional que os trabalhadores estão expostos torna-se importante. O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a exposição ocupacional ao calor de trabalhadores durante a aplicação de produtos fitossanitários com bomba costal manual na cultura do cafeeiro. O estudo de caso foi desenvolvido na fazenda-escola do IFSULDEMINAS Campus Inconfidentes nos meses de setembro e outubro de 2017. Avaliou-se o calor ocupacional em lavoura cafeeira através do método do IBUTGMÉDIO, utilizando medidor de estresse térmico TGD 400. Os valores do IBUTG encontrados foram comparados aos limites de exposição da NR 15 para fins de classificação de insalubridade e com a NHO 06 para trabalhadores aclimatizados e não aclimatizados. Os resultados demostraram que o IBUTG encontrado está abaixo do limite de tolerância da NR15, para o mês de setembro. No mês de outubro o limite de tolerância foi ultrapassado no período das 11:00 às 14:59h, considerando uma atividade pesada contínua e descanso no próprio local de trabalho, sendo a atividade considerada insalubre. Ao considerarmos os critérios da NHO 06 observou-se que os limites de exposição ocupacional foram ultrapassados no mês de outubro, para trabalhadores aclimatizados e não aclimatizados. Em setembro o limite de exposição ocupacional da NHO 06 foi superado somente para trabalhadores não aclimatizados. Portanto os trabalhadores devem ser submetidos à aclimatização durante a atividade de aplicação de fitossanitários no mês de outubro.
Assuntos
Saúde Ocupacional , Temperatura AltaRESUMO
Millions of workers around the world are exposed to high temperatures, intense physical activity, and lax labor practices that do not allow for sufficient rehydration breaks. The extent and consequences of heat exposure in different occupational settings, countries, and cultural contexts is not well studied. We conducted an in-depth review to examine the known effects of occupational heat stress on the kidney. We also examined methods of heat-stress assessment, strategies for prevention and mitigation, and the economic consequences of occupational heat stress. Our descriptive review summarizes emerging evidence that extreme occupational heat stress combined with chronic dehydration may contribute to the development of CKD and ultimately kidney failure. Rising global temperatures, coupled with decreasing access to clean drinking water, may exacerbate the effects of heat exposure in both outdoor and indoor workers who are exposed to chronic heat stress and recurrent dehydration. These changes create an urgent need for health researchers and industry to identify work practices that contribute to heat-stress nephropathy, and to test targeted, robust prevention and mitigation strategies. Preventing occupational heat stress presents a great challenge for a concerted multidisciplinary effort from employers, health authorities, engineers, researchers, and governments.
RESUMO
Ambient Assisted Working (AAW) is a discipline aiming to provide comfort and safety in the workplace through customization and technology. Workers' comfort may be compromised in many labor situations, including those depending on environmental conditions, like extremely hot weather conduces to heat stress. Occupational heat stress (OHS) happens when a worker is in an uninterrupted physical activity and in a hot environment. OHS can produce strain on the body, which leads to discomfort and eventually to heat illness and even death. Related ISO standards contain methods to estimate OHS and to ensure the safety and health of workers, but they are subjective, impersonal, performed a posteriori and even invasive. This paper focuses on the design and development of real-time personalized monitoring for a more effective and objective estimation of OHS, taking into account the individual user profile, fusing data from environmental and unobtrusive body sensors. Formulas employed in this work were taken from different domains and joined in the method that we propose. It is based on calculations that enable continuous surveillance of physical activity performance in a comfortable and healthy manner. In this proposal, we found that OHS can be estimated by satisfying the following criteria: objective, personalized, in situ, in real time, just in time and in an unobtrusive way. This enables timely notice for workers to make decisions based on objective information to control OHS.