Climate Change and Rural Workers Thermal Comfort: Historical and Future Impacts

Abstract

The aim of the present research was to propose a bioclimatic mapping to classify the thermal comfort and discomfort of rural workers within the state of Minas Gerais, considering historical and future scenarios. Monthly historical series (1976-2014) of minimum, mean and maximum temperature-humidity index (THI), determined through the values of air temperature (minimum, mean and maximum) and relative humidity from 48 weather stations located in the state of Minas Gerais were used to analyze the trends through Mann-Kendall and linear regression assays. The bioclimatic mapping of human comfort, obtained via geostatistical analysis, was developed as a function of the minimum, medium and maximum THI for the historical period (1976-2014) and future scenario (2024). Results indicate an overall trend of increasing in thermal discomfort conditions throughout the mesoregions of the state of Minas Gerais during the weather seasons, being more incisive in summer and spring.

Adaptative comfort modeling for a typical non-centrifugal cane sugar processing facility

“…1). Such working conditions can affect the health and performance of operators [11,12]. Industrial and agroindustrial workers are at risk of heat stress-related illnesses due to equipment emitting thermal radiation such as ovens and evaporators within facilities [13], psychological effects, reduced productivity, and increased incident rate [14][15][16].…”