title: Heat exposure in sugarcane harvesters in Costa Rica.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Occupational heat stress is a major concern in sugarcane production and has been hypothesized as a causal factor of a chronic kidney disease epidemic in Central America. This study described working conditions of sugarcane harvesters in Costa Rica and quantified their exposure to heat.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-participatory observation and Wet Bulb Globe Temperatures (WBGT) according to Spanish NTP (Technical Prevention Notes) guidelines were utilized to quantify the risk of heat stress. OSHA recommendations were used to identify corresponding exposure limit values.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sugarcane harvesters carried out labor-intensive work with a metabolic load of 261 W/m² (6.8 kcal/min), corresponding to a limit value of 26° WBGT which was reached by 7:30 am on most days. After 9:15 am, OSHA recommendations would require that workers only work 25% of each hour to avoid health risks from heat.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sugarcane harvesters are at risk for heat stress for the majority of the work shift. Immediate action is warranted to reduce such exposures.
authors.affiliation: Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances (IRET), Program on Work, Environment and Health in Central America (SALTRA), Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica. jennifer.crowe@una.cr
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Crowe
authors.forename: Catharina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wesseling
authors.forename: Bryan Román
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Solano
authors.forename: Manfred Pinto
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Umaña
authors.forename: Andrés Robles
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.forename: Tord
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kjellstrom
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Morales
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D000383:Agriculture / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003364:Costa Rica; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Central America; agricultural worker; exposure; heat stress; sugarcane