Potential Impacts of Different Occupational Outdoor Heat Exposure Thresholds among Washington State Crop and Construction Workers and Implications for Other Jurisdictions
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15471237 |
|---|---|
| Authors | John C Flunker (0000-0003-0715-6254, University of Washington), Christopher Zuidema (0000-0002-2233-2706, University of Washington), Jihoon Jung (0000-0002-3757-4783, University of Washington), Edward J Kasner (0000-0002-1077-5286, University of Washington), M Cohen (0000-0002-1189-5263, University of Washington), Edmund Seto (0000-0003-4058-0313, University of Washington), Elena Austin (0000-0002-4724-1042, University of Washington), June T Spector (0000-0002-0761-1256, United States Department of State, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 18 |
| Pages | 11583-11583 |
| Publication date | 2022-09-14 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph191811583 |
| PMID | 36141863 |
| OpenAlex | W4296100738 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 1 |
Occupational heat exposure is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality among outdoor workers. We sought to descriptively evaluate spatiotemporal variability in heat threshold exceedances and describe potential impacts of these exposures for crop and construction workers. We also present general considerations for approaching heat policy-relevant analyses. We analyzed county-level 2011-2020 monthly employment (Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages) and environmental exposure (Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM)) data for Washington State (WA), USA, crop (North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 111 and 1151) and construction (NAICS 23) sectors. Days exceeding maximum daily temperature thresholds, averaged per county, were linked with employment estimates to generate employment days of exceedances. We found spatiotemporal variability in WA temperature threshold exceedances and crop and construction employment. Maximum temperature exceedances peaked in July and August and were most numerous in Central WA counties. Counties with high employment and/or high numbers of threshold exceedance days, led by Yakima and King Counties, experienced the greatest total employment days of exceedances. Crop employment contributed to the largest proportion of total state-wide employment days of exceedances with Central WA counties experiencing the greatest potential workforce burden of exposure. Considerations from this analysis can help inform decision-making regarding thresholds, timing of provisions for heat rules, and tailoring of best practices in different industries and areas
Business · Environmental health · Occupational safety and health · Air Quality and Health Impacts · Climate Change and Health Impacts · Environmental Science · Medicine · Thermoregulation and physiological responses
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2025 - 2025 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |