High atmospheric temperatures and the health of workers

The studies of health impacts of high ambient temperatures have gained particular importance in the context of continuing climate change, gradual rise in summer temperatures, increasing frequency and severity of heat waves. The exposure of outdoor workers to high ambient temperatures may cause hyperthermia and heat-related illness which may ultimately lead to death.The second most important health effect, after heat sickness, is kidney disease. In addition, exposure to high temperatures increases the risk of occupational injury, reduces working capacity and labor productivity. The main purpose of this review is to summarize the results of foreign studies on the effects of high ambient temperatures on the health of workers, since no such studies have been conducted in Russia. The order of presentation of the material corresponds to the degree of severity of the effects on the health of workers in various specialties. The most vulnerable group are agricultural workers, followed by construction workers, then workers of other professions who are characterized by heavy physical work outside the premises — these are miners, traffic policemen, public utilities workers, the tourism sector, etc. The review also briefly examines studies on the economic assessment of damage caused by exposure to high air temperatures on the health of workers, and Russian research in a related field — the effect of a heating microclimate inside industrial premises on the health of workers. Ethics. This study did not require the conclusion of an Ethics committee.