Outdoor Workers Research Articles

Fasten UV-Resistant Cotton Textiles by Modification with Mixed Metal–Ce–MOF

AbstractNowadays, manufacturing of ultraviolet (UV) protective textiles is quite interesting for the outdoor workers to protect their bodies from harmful radiation. Herein, for the first time, durable UV-protective cotton textiles were produced by modification with the mixed metal–Ce organic framework. Cotton was first interacted with 1,2,4-tricarboxybenzene-2,4-anhydride through benzylation reaction. The benzylated cotton (BTC–C = O@Cotton) was then reacted with two metal salts including Cerium salt to obtain Ce–M–BTC–C = O@Cotton. The estimated contents of Ce and the mixed metal within Ce–M–BTC–C = O@Cotton were 3.3% and 0.4%, respectively. The color of cotton was turned to bluish-green color, greenish-yellow color and reddish color after incorporation with Ce–Cu–BTC, Ce–Ni–BTC and Ce–Co–BTC, respectively. The all-modified fabrics exhibited UV-blocking character from good to excellent, depending on the inserted mixed metal. The measured UV-protection factor (UPF) was 34.7 (very good) for Ce–Cu–BTC–C = O@Cotton, 43.1 (excellent) for Ce–Ni–BTC–C = O@Cotton, 26.4 (good) for Ce–Zn–BTC–C = O@Cotton, and 33.3 (very good) for Ce–Co–BTC–C = O@Cotton. After 5 washing cycles, Ce–Ni–BTC–C = O@Cotton and Ce–Co–BTC–C = O@Cotton showed good UV protection. The mechanical properties of cotton textiles were not significantly affected after modification with Ce–M–BTC.

Skin cancer prevention: a systematic review of the efficacy of clinical trial-based interventions

Skin cancer is one of the most common malignancies and its incidence continues to increase worldwide, especially in areas of high ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This systematic review highlights that an effective preventive approach combines sun protection, education, and workplace policies. Advanced sunscreens with DNA repair complexes are useful in reducing precursor lesions such as actinic keratosis. The implementation of workplace policies that provide protective equipment and create shaded areas is especially effective for outdoor workers. Educational programs in schools and on-the-job training encourage sun protection practices from childhood and in work settings, although their effectiveness depends on demographic and cultural factors. It is recommended to tailor interventions to each population and explore their long-term sustainability, as well as to evaluate the economic impact of these policies to achieve effective skin cancer prevention.

Outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and Lyme disease in Québec.

Lyme disease is a well-known occupational risk across North America caused by exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi via blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis). As the geographic range of B. burgdorferi advances with the increasing distribution of blacklegged ticks, more outdoor workers are at risk of contracting Lyme disease. In this study, we examined the demography and personal perceptions of outdoor workers within one framework to better determine the overall risk for those working outdoors. We analysed outdoor worker knowledge of ticks and of behaviours that can prevent tick bites and Lyme disease. We then compared these risk perceptions of individuals across age, sex, education, and industry, as well as time spent outdoors. We tested the hypothesis that the risk perception of an individual and their knowledge of Lyme disease transmission was dependent on their demographics, experience in their job, and the region in which they spend time outdoors. We estimated a knowledge-based risk score based on individuals' answers to a questionnaire on risk perception given to voluntary participants who work outdoors. Those who had higher risk scores were more at risk. We found that knowledge-based risk scores were correlated with geographic risk levels and with the number of hours per day spent outdoors. Those who work longer hours and who work in areas with mid-level risk had higher risk scores. Those who spend more time outdoors recreationally had lower risk scores. Further examination and acknowledgment of the reasoning behind why these factors are affecting workers' risks must be considered to recognize that it is not necessarily demographics or geographically high-risk areas that affect an individual's risk. Workers' knowledge of these risks is affected by several variables that should be taken into consideration when implementing safety measures and awareness programs.

Investigating Blood Lead Levels and Its Health Effects on Employees of a Petroleum Industry and the Surrounding Residents: A Case Study of Kirkuk City, Iraq.

This study has been aimed to investigate factors associated with elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) across different percentiles in individuals employed in the petroleum industry and residents of Kirkuk City . In addition, to provide evidence-based approaches to mitigate exposure risks and safeguard vulnerable populations. The study involved 357 participants and utilized quantile regression to examine BLL in petroleum industry workers and Kirkuk residents. Median BLLs were higher among workers (17.5 μg/dL) compared to residents in the city (9.9 μg/dL) and suburbs (7.4 μg/dL). Factors such as smoking, outdoor work, and lower education were associated with elevated BLLs, as confirmed by quantile regression. This study found higher BLLs in petroleum workers compared to Kirkuk residents, associated with smoking, outdoor work, and lower education. The results emphasize the need for targeted interventions and policies to mitigate lead exposure risks in this industrial region.

A study of clinical profile and outcome of patients with snake bite-induced acute kidney injury

ABSTRACT Background: Snake bite is a well-known occupational hazard amongst farmers, plantation workers, and other outdoor workers and results in much morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The complications related to kidneys are observed in most patients with snake bites admitted to a hospital. The current study aimed to study the renal involvement in patients with snake bites with reference to clinical features and the time of onset of acute renal failure. Methods: A prospective clinical study of 68 patients of snake bite was done to know the clinical profile and outcome in Gandhi Hospital Secunderabad and cases were particularly looked for development of acute kidney injury. Later each case was studied and investigated with respect to onset, clinical features, course in the hospital, need for renal replacement therapy including dialysis, and mortality due to AKI. Patients were followed up till discharge or death. They were treated as per protocol. Results: The incidence of AKI was 29.1%. Common signs and symptoms were fang mark (100%), swelling (91.2%), tenderness (91.2%), bleeding manifestations (79.4%) oliguria (26.47%), anuria (5.8%), and haematuria (8.8%). Hypotension was present in 73%, which may be the cause of AKI. All the AKI patients showed coagulation abnormalities in the form of prolonged BT, CT, PT, and aPTT. Thrombocytopenia was seen in 29.4%. All the AKI patients were given ASV for 2 to 3 days. The mean ASV vials used in the present study is 15 ± 5. Hemodialysis was done in 29.4% of patients. Conclusion: The cause of AKI in snakebite was multifactorial in origin. Bleeding and hypotension were among the important causes. Thrombocytopenia was significantly related to clinical bleeding. The type of snakebite is an important factor in the development of AKI and Russell’s viper bite is more commonly associated with it. AKI is usually associated with oliguria and generally occurs within 48 hours.

Purdah:opportunity or Adversity: Fromattia Hosain’s Fictions

In every day language gender refers to the biological differences between male and female which shows as superiority and inferiority. If that is male then he is made for outdoor work and if that is female she will remain at home for her house work course. Since the age of stone women at home does so many things and taking care of children but she never appreciated for that because we suppose she is born to do so. This what society construct the ideology. After observation of this stereotypes feminism moments take its place. Its roots are very undergoing and its stems and branches are exceeding with a never ending fruit full solution. Feminism is just about equality, nothing else. Everyone thinks feminism is about making women stronger but no, she is already very strong. It’s just about changing the way the world perceive their strength. Religion take very countable role of women in society. The myth which is in very lime light that if the women is Muslim and observes Purdah then she must be unfortunate and not able to built her choice for her career and husband. Islam teaches equal treatment and equal rights The glamming example of it is wife of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) she was a successful businesswoman. Which is a clear massage that women are allowed to go and to do what she wants.

Rewiring the nexus between urban traffic pollution-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure and DNA injury via urinary metabolomics

Urban road traffic environmental stress impacts outdoor population health, with oxidative damage serving as an early indicator of xenobiotic exposure. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as priority carcinogens pose significant public health burden, yet knowledge remains limited regarding the endogenous metabolic alternations associated with oxidative DNA injury. This cross-sectional study focused on the cohort consisting of 109 sanitation workers (“traffic exposure group”) and 112 demographics-matched common residents (“controls”) in South China. The goal was to elucidate the occurrence of internal exposure to nine hydroxyl PAHs, and the interrelations with oxidative DNA damage (indicated by 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine, 8-OHdG) by linear mixed-effect regression model. T-test and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were used to determine differential metabolites in non-targeted metabolomics. Results revealed outdoor workers suffered from the heavier PAH exposure burden and exhibited a stronger dose-dependent correlation with 8-OHdG, evidenced by the higher regression coefficient (0.244, 95% CI: 0.154–0.334) than controls (0.203, 95% CI: 0.079–0.328). In total 42 differential endogenous metabolites witnessed significant expression under traffic emission scenario, mainly implicated in phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis. The down-expressed uric acid was the unique metabolite that inversely correlated with the increased intake of ∑8PAH especially in cases. Partially attributed to the traffic-derived PAHs, the dysregulated amino acid, nicotinamide, purine, and steroid hormones metabolic pathways encompassing 11 metabolites were determined as underlying biomarkers in mediating DNA damage. Notably, our findings proposed uric acid may act as a potential antioxidant, as evidenced by the negative correlation with 8-OHdG. The study illustrates outcomes of metabolomics can collaboratively indicate DNA oxidative damage caused by PAHs linked to urban traffic exposure, which holds significant implications for future toxicological research.

Heat-related risk in outdoor workers in the context of climate change: a systematic review

Abstract Background Climate change is one of the paramount challenges in the current global health setting. From an occupational health perspective, outdoor workers are amongst the most vulnerable populations to climate change and heat-related risk. A systematic review was performed, aiming to assess heat-related health outcomes in outdoor workers. Methods The research query was structured using the Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome (PICO) model, and including synonyms and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms for the following keywords: “outdoor workers”, “climate change”, and “occupational risk”. The systematic review was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements, screening three databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus). Results After duplicate removal and title and abstract screening, the final screening by full-text resulted in 10 included studies. The included studies were performed mostly on construction (included in 5 studies, 50.0%) and agriculture (in 5 studies, 50.0%) workers. Eight studies (80.0%) had a majority of male workers, while one (10.0%) had a majority of female workers, and one study (10.0%) did not report on the gender ratio. Four of the included studies (40.0%) reported a high prevalence of heat-related symptoms, ranging from 64.0% to 90.3% of workers. Three studies (30.0%) showcased a prevalence of heat-related symptoms in less than 50% of workers (ranging from 11.6% to 47.5%). Three studies (30.0%) evaluated odds ratio, highlighting an increased odds ratio of heat-related symptoms in outdoor workers. Conclusions This systematic review highlights heat-related stress in outdoor workers as an important occupational risk. Mitigation and prevention strategies should be developed and implemented at a company, national, and supra-national level, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of outdoor workers worldwide. Key messages • A systematic review was performed to assess risks related to climate change in outdoor workers. Heat-related symptoms were reported with a high prevalence, ranging from 64.0% to 90.3% of workers. • Mitigation and prevention strategies should be developed and implemented at a company, national, and supra-national level, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of outdoor workers worldwide.

Capturing the health and well-being impact of climate change: a health impact assessment in Wales

Abstract Climate change is one of the biggest threats to global health in the 21st century and is likely to impact on health through a range of factors (societal, economic or environmental). The need to take action on climate and nature emergencies in order to protect population health and well-being and prevent negative impacts are becoming more urgent. Public Health Wales carried out a comprehensive mixed-method Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of climate change in Wales. HIA is a systematic process which considers the impact of a policy on the health and well-being of a population. It appraised the potential impacts of climate change on health and inequalities in Wales. This involved participatory workshops, engagement with stakeholders, statistical data, systematic literature reviews and case studies. The HIA findings indicate significant potential impacts across the determinants of health and mental well-being. For example, air quality, flooding, economic productivity, working conditions, access to services and community resilience. Impacts were identified across population groups, settings, and areas including urban and rural contexts, outdoor workers, children and young people, older people, schools, hospitals and workplaces. These findings have been beneficial to inform decision-makers to prepare for climate change plans and policies using a preventative evidence-informed approach. The work has demonstrated the value of HIA for significant, complex policies by mobilising a range of evidence through a transparent process, resulting in government and organizational action and transferrable learning for others. Key messages • HIA is a beneficial tool to identify at a granular level the health impacts of climate change. • The HIA has been used by the government of Wales and organisations to respond to and plan for climate change.

Effectiveness of heat stress interventions among outdoor workers: a protocol paper.

Heavy work in scorching temperatures can cause dehydration and heat stress, which can lead to a number of heat-related diseases. Heavy work in intense heat without rest or hydration is the main cause. The "Water, Rest, Shade" (WRS) intervention program for outdoor workers in hot weather reduces heat stress. This study follows a quasi-experimental design involving 250 outdoor workers from both agriculture and brick kilns. To assess the environmental heat exposure levels, Quest Temp 3 M WBGT Monitor will be used. Tympanic temperature, Heart rate (HR), Sweat rate (SwR), and Urine specific gravity (USG) to assess the physiological responses to heat exposure using standard protocols. Blood samples will be collected to measure serum creatinine and calculate Glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and urine samples to measure pH, leucocytes, proteinuria, and hematuria. Then administer a validated and modified HOTHAPS questionnaire to capture the perception data. After the baseline assessments, Categorize the workers into two groups based on the selection criteria and the participants' willingness. Then provide a week-long WRS intervention to the intervention group (IG). The non-intervention group will collect the same data without any intervention to assess the efficacy of the intervention by comparing both groups and measuring outcome indicators. The study will generate much-needed information to raise awareness of the importance of heat stress prevention for outdoor workers. This study will demonstrate the effectiveness of an intervention, provide much-needed strategies for reducing heat stress, assess both health impacts and implementation quality, and design comprehensive workplace and labor laws aim to minimise risks to millions of unorganised outdoor workers health.

Histological and histopathological structural changes in the skin of the Basal Cells Carcinoma patients

Background: Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin carcinoma and is considered an epidemic disease due to its increasing frequency in many countries. The most important problem of BCC is local invasion It grows in a “silent” way into immediately adjacent tissue. It rarely metastasizes. The early tumors are commonly small, translucent or pearly, raised and rounded areas located on a few dilated, superficial vessels. There are six subtypes of BCC that include nodular, pigmented, superficial, morphea form, cystic. The most important risk factor for basal cell carcinoma is exposure to UV-radiation. Outdoor workers with a long history of work-related UV-exposure are at increased risk of developing BCC. Other risk factors include family history of skin carcinoma, light skin phototypes, advanced age. Objective: The current study investigated pathological and histological changes in tissue sections to identify the factors contributing to the infection frequency. Patients and Methods: Thirty-three BCC patients' samples have been collected from the main care center at al-Baquba Teaching Hospital of Diyala Province, Iraq. All patient groups were clinically diagnosed as BCC by dermatologists. Results: The study showed macroscopic and microscopic histological changes. An ulcerated macroscopic appearance of the lesion was shown. The tumor lesions are located on the face. It was noted that the percentage of patients was higher in men than women and higher in light skin than dark skin. The study also showed that the age group 66-74 years had a higher infection percentage, while the lower percentage was of the age group > 83 years. Conclusion: These findings pave the way for future research endeavors aimed at prevention, early detection, and targeted treatment strategies for this prevalent skin carcinoma.

Summarizing Recommendations for the Prevention of Occupational Heat-Related Illness in Outdoor Workers A Scoping Review.

Outdoor workers face unique challenges in preventing heat-related illnesses (HRI). Although preventable, HRI and death from heat exposure continue. A review of the most recent recommendation for HRI prevention in outdoor workers in the United States was warranted. A scoping review using PRISMA guidelines was conducted to compile policy statements and recommendations on the prevention of HRI and synthesize them into a three-step plan for prevention using the Haddon Matrix. PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, and websites from organizations and regulating bodies were searched for sources. Key terms such as occupational OR workers OR employers OR policymakers, HRI OR heat stress OR heat, prevention, recommendations OR position statements were used. Inclusion criteria were articles published within the last 5 years written in English and containing recommendations for preventing HRI in outdoor workers. Research not based on U.S. workers was excluded from the review. Twenty sources comprised the review. Several themes emerged, indicating deficient recommendations for secondary and tertiary prevention. This review's findings can be used by occupational health nurses (OHNs) in developing comprehensive interventions for preventing HRI and injury, using clear language, and following evidenced-based practices to increase workplace health and safety and promote equity.

Development and experimental validation of a 3D numerical model to investigate performance of phase change based cooling vest in hot environments

To ensure health and safety of outdoor workers exposed to harsh environment, particularly during summer, they must be protected against heat-related injuries. Personal cooling device like cooling vest are viable solution in such situations considering their cooling capabilities and ergonomic aspects. In the present study, a 3D numerical model is developed for analyzing performance of PCM vest and it is validated with experimental results obtained from a torso thermal manikin facility fabricated in-house. Thermal performance of the PCM vest is analyzed in terms of temperature, liquid fraction and energy storage of PCM and skin temperature for different thermophysical properties of PCM, ambient conditions and mode of operations. Based on the study, PCM with higher latent heat and melting temperature is recommended for the longer working duration of the vest. Increasing ambient temperature from 40 °C to 45 °C reduces the effectiveness time by 20 % while decreasing ambient temperature from 40 °C to 35 °C increases effectiveness time of the PCM vest by 32 %. Fraction of energy stored by the PCM from the body and environment remains unaffected by the change in the latent heat of PCM. Further, it is noticed that increasing the air flow rate or using the PCM vest in hybrid mode of operation is not recommended from the point of view of its effective useable duration. Overall, the study presents a comprehensive approach to estimate performance of the PCM vest realistically and provides guidelines for the design of effective cooling vest for various practical applications.

Juvenile Myopia: The Silent Vision Understanding, Preventing, and Managing Childhood Myopia

Juvenile myopia, a significant visual impairment characterized by blurred distance vision, is increasingly prevalent among Indian children. This review explores the multifactorial etiology of myopia, including genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and lifestyle factors such as prolonged near work and limited outdoor activities. The pathophysiology involves abnormal eye elongation driven by genetic and environmental factors, leading to refractive errors. Clinical manifestations include blurry distance vision, squinting, eye strain, and headaches, impacting academic performance and quality of life. Emphasis on early detection, parental awareness, and adherence to treatment protocols is crucial in controlling myopia progression and preventing long-term complications such as retinal detachment, myopic maculopathy, and glaucoma. This review underscores the need for comprehensive public health strategies to address the growing burden of juvenile myopia in India. Juvenile myopia is rapidly becoming a significant public health concern in India, with increasing prevalence driven by lifestyle changes, urbanization, and academic pressures. This systematic review aims to examine the prevalence, risk factors, and interventions for childhood myopia, with a focus on understanding the silent nature of this condition, identifying early prevention strategies, and outlining management techniques to curb its progression.

Self-powered flexible wearable wireless sensing for outdoor work heatstroke prevention and health monitoring

Outdoor workers are susceptible to heatstroke in hot weather. Currently, there are no wearable devices on the market to assess the risk of heatstroke. This paper proposes a self-powered flexible wearable wireless sensing system for outdoor work heatstroke prevention and health monitoring (SWSM). SWSM consists of two parts, one part is a wearable heatstroke prevention patch based on flexible wireless sensing (WPFS) to monitor the wearer’s physiological indicators continuously. The other part is a self-powered device based on solar energy (SPDS), which can generate milliamp level current for powering the WPFS. With these indicators, the wearer’s activity category is confirmed by the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) model. WPFS contains a PVDF-HFD nanofibre cooling film (PNCF), flexible triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG)-based button (B-TENG), and functional sensing components. Temperatures under PNCF coverage can be up to 12% lower than environmental temperatures. B-TENG is used to adjust the mode. Based on the wearer’s physiological indicators a heatstroke risk assessment equation can be created to assess the potential risk of heatstroke. Finally, the data is displayed on the Internet of Things (IoT) platform. The system is wireless, self-powered, flexible wearable, and can be used for real-time prevention of heatstroke risk and health monitoring of outdoor workers.

Assessing 7-year heat-stress exposures and adaptation strategies for children using a real-time monitoring network in Taiwan

Wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) serves as a suitable heat-stress indicator not only for outdoor workers but also for the general public. However, studies on WBGT exposure among the general population are scarce. This research represents the first attempt to assess WBGT exposure of school-aged children. Utilizing a real-time monitoring network in Taiwan, WBGT exposure of school-aged children (7–15 years) were estimated during May to October from 2016 to 2022. Important determinants and spatiotemporal variability of WBGT levels were explored, with hot spots and peak hours of WBGT identified. Macro- and micro-scale adaptation strategies applicable at schools were also evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing heat stress for students. Results showed that the mean daily maximum WBGT (WBGTmax) was 33.1 ± 3.8 °C at 20 stations across Taiwan but could reach/exceed 36 °C (threshold of the dangerous category) at certain hot spots for 42.3–52.0 % of days between May and October. Local geographic features sometimes outweigh the latitude in explaining the spatial variations. Contrary to temperature, WBGT peaked during 10 am to noon rather than from noon to 1:59 pm in most schools, due to clouds blocking solar radiation in the afternoon. This finding has significant implications for scheduling outdoor physical classes/activities to reduce children's heat-health risks. Setting up on-site WBGT monitoring on surfaces that children mostly encounter at schools or utilizing data from nearby weather stations could provide a near real-time heat-health warning. Moreover, providing shades outdoors, relocating outdoor classes indoors, and using air-conditioning would reduce WBGT by 2.1–5.8, 3.7–7.3, and 2.5–5.9 °C, respectively; and would significantly decrease the percentages of WBGT ≥34 °C, which is associated with increased heat-related emergency visits among children in Taiwan. The methodology applied serves as a useful reference for assessing WBGT exposure and adaptation strategies, providing the scientific foundation for heat-health adaptation measures.

Examining Management and Employees' Perceptions of Occupational Heat Exposure and the Effectiveness of a Heat Stress Prevention Intervention on Safety and Well-Being among Natural Gas Construction Workers: A Qualitative Field-Based Study.

Numerous risk factors have been identified as significantly influencing outdoor workers' risk for heat stress and heat-related conditions, impacting their health, well-being, and productivity. However, the specific effects of these factors on construction workers' safety, health, and well-being remain under-researched. With climate change increasing temperatures, assessing heat stress among construction workers is imperative. To identify the barriers and facilitators influencing the safety of natural gas construction workers and evaluate an implemented heat stress intervention. In the summer of 2023, two semi-structured interviews and six focus groups were conducted with twenty-one stakeholders at a Texas natural gas construction site. Key facilitators include employee preparedness, use of employer-provided resources, hydration logs, and real-time communication tools. Contrarily, the barriers include daily work schedules, access to dehydrating beverages, and generational differences with the non-implementation of mandatory rest breaks. The heat stress program was perceived as effective, surpassing recommended guidelines. To advance construction workers' safety, health, and well-being, both employee involvement and employer management are needed, along with no-cost accessible resources. Additionally, implementing a required routine rest break and comprehensive heat stress education, particularly for older workers, will significantly promote safety and safe work practices in hot environments. Note: in this study, the terms 'worker' and 'employee' are used interchangeably.

A review of the intersection between climate change, agriculture, health, and nutrition in Africa: costs and programmatic options

BackgroundClimate change adversely affects Africa’s agriculture which would worsen the widespread food insecurity and nutritional deficiencies. Vulnerable populations, especially female farmers, women, and children are disproportionately affected.MethodsThe paper synthesizes available peer-reviewed and grey literature on the intersections of climate change, food insecurity, agriculture, gender disparities, health, child nutrition, and micronutrient deficiencies in Africa. It explores the economic ramifications of these factors, particularly their impact on public health and economic stability. The work aggregates insights into the current and future challenges of agricultural sustainability and the expected human capital development and economic costs of climate variations.ResultsThe prevalence of hunger and undernourishment in Africa is notably higher compared to other regions. Climate change directly threatens agriculture, with anticipated reductions in crop and livestock yields, compounded by the negative impact of greenhouse emissions on the nutritional quality of staple foods. Female farmers contribute notably to agriculture, but their labor share is less dominant than previously assumed. Exposure to high temperatures, especially for outdoor workers and pregnant women, presents significant health risks, further impacting agricultural and economic output. These interdependencies are presented in a framework along with suggested interventions that could be contextualized to address the climate drivers and interconnectivity across agriculture, health, and livelihoods.ConclusionThe interdependence between food, agriculture, health, nutrition, and human productivity, all of which are exacerbated by the impacts of climate change in Africa, form a complex challenge with profound health and economic implications. A multifaceted strategy is needed, encompassing climate-resilient farming practices, gender-sensitive interventions, health-focused measures like micronutrient supplementation, and comprehensive economic policies.

Wet bulb globe temperature from climate model outputs: a method for projecting hourly site-specific values and trends.

Increasing temperature will impact future outdoor worker safety but quantifying this impact to develop local adaptations is challenging. Wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) is the preferred thermal index for regulating outdoor activities in occupational health, athletic, and military settings, but global circulation models (GCMs) have coarse spatiotemporal resolution and do not always provide outputs required to project the full diurnal range of WBGT. This article presents a novel method to project WBGT at local spatial and hourly temporal resolutions without many assumptions inherent in previous research. We calculate sub-daily future WBGT from GCM output and then estimate hourly WBGT based on a site-specific, historical diurnal cycles. We test this method against observations at U.S. Army installations and find results match closely. We then project hourly WBGT at these locations from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2100, to quantify trends and estimate future periods exceeding outdoor activity modification thresholds. We find regional patterns affecting WBGT, suggesting accurately projecting WBGT demands a localized approach. Results show increased frequency of hours at high WBGT and, using U.S. military heat thresholds, we estimate impacts to future outdoor labor. By mid-century, some locations are projected to average 20 or more days each summer when outdoor labor will be significantly impacted. The method's fine spatiotemporal resolution enables detailed analysis of WBGT projections, making it useful applied at specific locations of interest.

Particulate matter pollution in central Bangkok: assessing outdoor workers’ perceptions and exposure

ABSTRACT Air pollution is estimated to cause 32,300 deaths annually in Thailand, with PM2.5 exposure accounting for much of this. However, not everyone bears the burden of exposure to air pollution equally, and outdoor workers are particularly exposed. In this study, we sought to better understand how local residents and outdoor workers in central Bangkok experience air pollution in their day-to-day life, through a survey of their symptoms and mitigation measures. Respondents were aware of the risks of air pollution but felt there was little they could do about their exposure to it. We also asked a subset of respondents to carry a portable PM2.5 sensor during their working day, to assess which occupations and locations faced highest pollution exposure. We found that all workers, including those who didn’t always work outdoors, faced exposure that exceeded both the WHO and Thailand 24-hour PM2.5 standards, at 43.94 μg/m3 on average. These findings demonstrate that workers face harmful levels of daily exposure and should be provided with appropriate mitigating measures by their employers to limit their exposure, and targeted health screenings. At a city and national scale, concrete action is needed to reduce sources of pollution.