Lifestyle Factors Associated With Hyperthermia In Construction Workers During The Summer

Construction workers are at an increased risk of exertional heat illness (EHI) due to the combined effect of strenuous labor and high environmental temperatures. Elevated core temperature (Tcore) serves as a primary indicator for risk of EHI, with the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommending that unacclimatized workers do not exceed a threshold of 38 °C. Factors contributing to elevated Tcore in construction workers are not well understood but may be important to reduce EHI. PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between self-reported alcohol consumption, tobacco use, exercise routine, and prescription medication use on peak Tcore among construction workers in covered and uncovered areas on a hot summer workday. METHODS: Tcore was measured in 84 (4 female) construction workers at a commercial construction site using a telemetric, ingestible Tcore capsule, with data collected from each individual over a single workday across a five-day period. Participants completed a survey containing yes/no questions regarding their engagement in exercise outside of work, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and prescription medication intake. Independent sample t-tests were conducted to assess if there were differences in peak Tcore between yes/no groups for each factor. RESULTS: Of the factors assessed, only exercise demonstrated a significant association with peak Tcore. Workers who reported an exercise routine outside work recorded lower peak Tcore (37.7 ± 0.2 °C) than those who did not report exercise (37.9 ± 0.2 °C) (p = 0.001), although environmental heat stress was not different between groups as peak (p = 0.7) and average (p = 0.4) heat index were not significantly different. Notably, 12 of the 46 (26%) workers who reported not exercising surpassed 38 °C, while only 5 of the 38 (13%) who reported exercising surpassed this threshold. There were no differences in peak Tcore based on alcohol consumption (p = 0.3), tobacco use (p = 0.9), or prescription medication use (p = 0.9). No assessment was made of rest or hydration among the study subjects. CONCLUSION: Increasing exercise levels outside of work may serve as a potential behavioral change that could supplement provision of rest, hydration and cooling to reduce heat strain and consequential EHI in construction workers. Supported by: Turner Construction Company Foundation & R01OH11528