The Impacts of Sun Exposure on Worker Physiology and Cognition: Multi-Country Evidence and Interventions

Abstract

Background: A set of four case-control (n = 109), randomized-controlled (n = 7), cross-sectional (n = 78), and intervention (n = 47) studies was conducted across three countries to investigate the effects of sun exposure on worker physiology and cognition. Methods: Physiological, subjective, and cognitive performance data were collected from people working in ambient conditions characterized by the same thermal stress but different solar radiation levels. Results: People working under the sun were more likely to experience dizziness, weakness, and other symptoms of heat strain. These clinical impacts of sun exposure were not accompanied by changes in core body temperature but, instead, were linked with changes in skin temperature. Other physiological responses (heart rate, skin blood flow, and sweat rate) were also increased during sun exposure, while attention and vigilance were reduced by 45% and 67%, respectively, compared to exposure to a similar thermal stress without sunlight. Light-colored clothes reduced workers’ skin temperature by 12%–13% compared to darker-colored clothes. Conclusions: Working under the sun worsens the physiological heat strain experienced and compromises cognitive function, even when the level of heat stress is thought to be the same as being in the shade. Wearing light-colored clothes can limit the physiological heat strain experienced by the body.

Impact of occupational heat stress on worker productivity and economic cost

“…14,15 The combined effects of metabolic rate, clothing, and workplace conditions have been shown to induce hyperthermia (i.e., increased core temperature), 13 accelerate dehydration, [16][17][18][19] and alter perceptual and subjective responses to heat. 17,[20][21][22][23] Together, these factors transform physical working conditions 3,6 and introduce potential hazards to the work setting (e.g., grip problems from sweat, sweat in eyes, distraction, and timeoff-task) (Figure 1). All factors presented in Figure 1 describe heatrelated presenteeism, which can be defined as losses in productivity when workers are not fully functioning in the workplace (i.e., reductions in physical capacity) due to heat stress.…”

Accuracy of Algorithm to Non-Invasively Predict Core Body Temperature Using the Kenzen Wearable Device

“…As climate change is not only increasing average temperatures globally, but also the frequency of extreme heat events [ 1 ], an increasing number of workers (e.g., military, construction, agriculture, etc.) will be exposed to these hotter temperatures on a more frequent basis [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Workers experience a 2% loss in productivity for each 1 °C increase in wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) ≥ 24 °C [ 6 ], and in addition to productivity losses, the number of heat-related injuries and illnesses at job sites is on the rise.…”

Impact of Personal Cooling on Performance, Comfort and Heat Strain of Healthcare Workers in PPE, a Study From West Africa

“…The most appropriate personal cooling mechanism for healthcare workers in PPE likely differs depending on work load, environmental stressors and resources (5). Comparative evidence from industry and athletes have shown internal, external and mixed-method cooling to reduce thermal strain (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25).…”