Cooling Interventions Among Agricultural Workers: A Pilot Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Agricultural workers perform intense labor outside in direct sunlight and in humid environmental conditions, exposing workers to a high risk of heat-related illness (HRI). The aim of this study was to use biomonitoring equipment to examine the effectiveness of selected cooling devices at preventing agricultural workers from exceeding the core body temperature threshold of 38.0°C (Tc38) and attenuating heat-related illness symptoms. METHODS: A sample of 84 agricultural workers in Florida were randomized to 1 of 4 groups: 1) no intervention, clothing as usual; 2) cooling bandana; 3) cooling vest; and 4) both the cooling bandana and cooling vest. Biomonitoring equipment worn by the participants included core body temperature and heart rate monitor belts, and an accelerometer to capture physical activity. RESULTS:A total of 78 agricultural workers completed one intervention workday. Logistic regression analysis revealed the bandana group had lower odds of exceeding a core body temperature of 38.0°C (OR 0.7, CI90 [0.2, 3.2]) and the vest group had higher odds of exceeding 38.0°C (OR 1.8, CI90 [0.4, 7.9). The use of both the cooling vest and bandana (combination group) showed the effect was little different from the control group (OR 1.3, CI90 [0.3, 5.6]. CONCLUSIONS:This is the first field-based study to examine cooling intervention among agricultural workers in the United States using biomonitoring equipment. This study found that agricultural workers that used a bandana while working in a hot environment has the potential to be protective against exceeding a core body temperature of 38.0°C. KEYWORDS: Temperature, Occupational exposures