Research and public health prevention policies of occupational heat exposure in Italy

High temperatures are associated with a substantial mortality burden. Globally, 5 083 173 deaths were associated with non-optimal temperatures per year in 2000–2009, accounting for 9.43% (95% CI 7.6% to 11.1%) of all deaths, of which 0.91% (95% CI 0.6% to 1.4%) were heat related.1 Excessive heat while working induces occupational health risks and reduces work capacity and labour productivity: high body temperature or dehydration causes heat exhaustion, heat stroke and in extreme cases, death.2 Preparedness and prevention strategies to reduce heat waves impacts, are strongly required and work-related risk factors consideration is crucial. Rising heat levels driven by climate change are increasing health and economic risks for large shares of the global working population. In Italy, the occupational exposure to extreme temperatures is a real concern, especially for agriculture and construction workers. Recently, a nationwide epidemiological study has been finalised, using the daily time series of...

Source: Occupational and Environmental Medicine - February 14, 2022 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Marinaccio, A., Bonafede, M., Morabito, M., WORKLIMATE project Working Group, Binazzi, Bogi, Bonafede, Buccelli, Costantini, Crisci, deDonato, Falcone, Ferraro, Gariazzo, Gozzini, Grasso, Grifoni, Levi, Marinaccio, Messeri, Michelozzi, Molinaro, Monti, Mo Tags: PostScript Source Type: research