Citation

Petitti DB, Harlan SL, Chowell-Puente G, Ruddell DM. PLoS One 2013; 8(5): e62596.

Affiliation

Department of Biomedical Informatics, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Public Library of Science)

DOI

10.1371/journal.pone.0062596

PMID

23734174

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Prior research shows that work in agriculture and construction/extraction occupations increases the risk of environmental heat-associated death. PURPOSE: To assess the risk of environmental heat-associated death by occupation. METHODS: This was a case-control study. Cases were heat-caused and heat-related deaths occurring from May-October during the period 2002-2009 in Maricopa County, Arizona. Controls were selected at random from non-heat-associated deaths during the same period in Maricopa County. Information on occupation, age, sex, and race-ethnicity was obtained from death certificates. Logistic regression analysis was used to estimate odds ratios for heat-associated death. RESULTS: There were 444 cases of heat-associated deaths in adults (18+ years) and 925 adult controls. Of heat-associated deaths, 332 (75%) occurred in men; a construction/extraction or agriculture occupation was described on the death certificate in 115 (35%) of these men. In men, the age-adjusted odds ratios for heat-associated death were 2.32 (95% confidence interval 1.55, 3.48) in association with construction/extraction and 3.50 (95% confidence interval 1.94, 6.32) in association with agriculture occupations. The odds ratio for heat-associated death was 10.17 (95% confidence interval 5.38, 19.23) in men with unknown occupation. In women, the age-adjusted odds ratio for heat-associated death was 6.32 (95% confidence interval 1.48, 27.08) in association with unknown occupation. Men age 65 years and older in agriculture occupations were at especially high risk of heat-associated death. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of environmental heat-associated death in men in agriculture and construction/extraction occupations in a setting with predictable periods of high summer temperatures presents opportunities for prevention.

Language: en