Risk and preventive factors for heat illness in radiation decontamination workers after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident

Abstract

Risk and preventive factors for heat illness in radiation decontamination workers after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident: Takeyasu Kakamu, et al. Department of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine Objective The aim of this study was to reveal factors related to heat illness in radiation decontamination workers and determine effective preventive measures. Methods A self‐administered questionnaire was sent to 1,505 radiation decontamination workers. The questionnaire included age, sex, duration of decontamination work, previous occupation, education provided by employers regarding heat illness, preventive action against heat illness, and subjective symptoms of heat illness during work. We included 528 men, who replied and answered all questions, in the statistical analysis. Subjective symptoms of heat illness were categorized as “no symptoms”, “Grade I” and “Grade II” according to severity. A multiple linear regression model was used to determine the factors associated with the severity of heat illness. Results The mean age of the subjects was 47.6 years old (standard deviation: 13.4). Of the 528 workers, 316 (59.8%) experienced heat illness symptoms (213 at Grade I and 103 at Grade II). The results of the stepwise selection revealed that age, outdoor manual labor, adequate sleep, use of a cool vest, and salt intake were selected as preventive factors, whereas living in a company dormitory or temporary housing, wearing light clothing, and consuming breakfast were selected as risk factors for heat illness. Conclusions Both working conditions and living environment are associated with heat illness in radiation decontamination workers. Type of housing and sleep are also strongly related to heat illness during work. Employers should consider not only the working conditions of the employee but also the employee's daily living conditions, in order to prevent heat illness.

Preventive measures and lifestyle habits against exertional heat illness in radiation decontamination workers

“…Previous studies, including ours 2) , have shown that exertional heat illness mainly occurs in young workers. Although younger age tends to be associated with better physiological heat tolerance than older age 10 , 11) , age has been identified as a risk factor 12) .…”

“…Previously, we reported that more than half of the decontamination workers experienced symptoms of heat illness during one summer 2) . This was despite the government demanding that employers protect their workers from risks such as heat illness 3) .…”

“…Although younger age tends to be associated with better physiological heat tolerance than older age 10 , 11) , age has been identified as a risk factor 12) . Some young workers even developed severe symptoms of heat illness, such as headaches and nausea 2) . One reason for this is thought to be due to the heavier workloads given to the younger workers 13) .…”

Effect of age and social connection on perceived anxiety over radiation exposure among decontamination workers in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan

“…Participants' data were obtained from our previous study designed to investigate associations of behavioral, social, mental, and environmental factors with occupational health among radiation decontamination workers in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan 10) . We asked all 213 companies, who were involved in radiation decontamination in Fukushima Prefecture and attended a training program against radiation exposure held by the Fukushima Occupational Health Promotion Center from April to July 2013, to select approximately 10 workers to complete the questionnaires for the present study.…”

“…However, the support for mental health especially, perceived anxiety over radiation exposure among decontamination workers is insufficient compared with the support for physical health. As Kakamu et al reported, many more workers are engaged in the decontamination work in places with relatively lower dose rates than there are in places with higher dose rates; therefore, the risk of physical health problems from radiation exposure is low 10) . Moreover, prior to starting their work, the workers are educated on safety management and decontamination methods, using a text made by the Japanese government 11) .…”