title: The epidemiology of occupational heat exposure in the United States: a review of the literature and assessment of research needs in a changing climate.
abstract: In recent years, the United States has experienced record-breaking summer heat. Climate change models forecast increasing US temperatures and more frequent heat wave events in the coming years. Exposure to environmental heat is a significant, but overlooked, workplace hazard that has not been well-characterized or studied. The working population is diverse; job function, age, fitness level, and risk factors to heat-related illnesses vary. Yet few studies have examined or characterized the incidence of occupational heat-related morbidity and mortality. There are no federal regulatory standards to protect workers from environmental heat exposure. With climate change as a driver for adaptation and prevention of heat disorders, crafting policy to characterize and prevent occupational heat stress for both indoor and outdoor workers is increasingly sensible, practical, and imperative.
authors: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, DC, USA, gubernot@alumni.gwu.edu.
authors: Diane M
authors: DM
authors: Gubernot
authors: G Brooke
authors: GB
authors: Anderson
authors: Katherine L
authors: KL
authors: Hunting
mesh_terms: D057231:Climate Change; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012106:Research; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology