1. Prevalence of cold-related symptoms among Thai chicken meat industry workers:association with workplace temperature and thermal insulation of clothing
- Author
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Chotiphan, C. (Chotirot), Auttanate, N. (Nipaporn), Maruo, S. J. (Suchinda Jarupat), Näyhä, S. (Simo), Jussila, K. (Kirsi), Rissanen, S. (Sirkka), Sripaiboonkij, P. (Penpatra), Ikäheimo, T. M. (Tiina M.), Jaakkola, J. J. (Jouni J. K.), and Phanprasit, W. (Wantanee)
- Subjects
Occupational epidemiology ,Work environments ,Performance ,parasitic diseases ,Thermal stress ,Respiratory symptoms ,Cardiovascular symptoms ,Clothing ,Cold - Abstract
This study determined the association of cold-related symptoms with workplace temperature and thermal insulation of clothing among Thai chicken industry workers. Three hundred workers were interviewed regarding cold-related symptoms, which were regressed on worksite temperature and protective clothing. In total, 80% of workers reported respiratory symptoms; 23%, cardiac symptoms; 62%, circulation disturbances; 42%, thirst; 56%, drying of the mouth; and 82%, degradation of their performance. When adjusted for personal characteristics, respiratory symptoms were 1.1‒2.2 times more prevalent at −22‒10°C than at 10‒23°C. At −22‒10°C, cardiac symptoms increased by 45%, chest pain by 91%, peripheral circulation disturbances by 25%, and drying of the mouth by 57%. Wearing protective clothing with at least 1.1 clo units was associated with marked reductions in symptom prevalence. Therefore, temperatures lower than 10°C increased prevalence of cold-related symptoms, which are largely preventable by appropriate clothing use.
- Published
- 2020