Factors associated with heat strain among workers at an aluminum smelter in Texas.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of heat strain and factors associated with heat strain among workers at an aluminum smelter in Texas.


METHODS
Continuous core body temperature (T(c)), heart rate, and pre- and postshift serum electrolytes, and urine specific gravity were measured, and symptom questionnaires were administered.


RESULTS
Most participants (54%) had 1 or more signs of heat strain. Unacclimatized participants were significantly more likely to exceed the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists-recommended T(c) than acclimatized participants (88% vs 20%; P < 0.01). Participants who exceeded the T(c) for their acclimatization status and/or exceeded the recommended sustained peak HR had a significantly lower body mass index than those who did not (27.6 vs 31.8 and 28.4 vs 32.4, respectively; P = 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Employees and management need to strictly adhere to a heat stress management program to minimize heat stress and strain.
From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Dr Dang and LCDR Dowell), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluations and Field Studies, Cincinnati, Ohio. LCDR Dowell is currently working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Office of the Director, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr Dang is currently working at Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Houston, Texas, and the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, Texas.
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D000328:Adult; D000535:Aluminum; D001831:Body Temperature; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013046:Specific Gravity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D004573:Electrolytes; D000535:Aluminum