@article{ref1,
title="Cooling interventions among agricultural workers: a pilot study",
journal="Workplace health and safety",
year="2020",
author="Chicas, Roxana and Xiuhtecutli, Nezahualcoyotl and Elon, Lisa and Scammell, Madeleine K. and Steenland, Kyle and Hertzberg, Vicki and McCauley, Linda",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
abstract="BACKGROUND: Adverse health effects among agricultural workers due to chronic heat  exposure have been characterized in the literature as not only due to high ambient  temperatures but also due to intensive manual labor in hot and humid conditions. The  aim of this study was to use biomonitoring equipment to examine the effectiveness of  selected cooling devices at preventing agricultural workers from exceeding the core  body temperature threshold of 38.0°C (Tc38) and attenuating heat-related illness  symptoms. <br><br>METHODS: A convenience sample of 84 agricultural workers in Florida was  randomized to one of four groups: (a) no intervention, clothing as usual; (b)  cooling bandana; (c) cooling vest; and (d) both the cooling bandana and cooling  vest. Biomonitoring equipment worn by the participants included core body  temperature monitor and an accelerometer to capture physical activity. <br><br>FINDINGS: A  total of 78 agricultural workers completed one intervention workday trial. Compared  with the control group, the bandana group had lower odds of exceeding Tc38 (odds  ratio [OR] = 0.7, 90% confidence interval [CI] = [0.2, 3.2]) and the vest group had  higher odds of exceeding Tc38 (OR = 1.8, 90% CI = [0.4, 7.9]). The simultaneous use  of cooling vest and bandana showed an effect little different from the control group  (OR = 1.3, 90% CI = [0.3, 5.6]). <br><br>CONCLUSION/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: This is the  first field-based study to examine cooling intervention among agricultural workers  in the United States using biomonitoring equipment. This study found that using a  bandana while working in a hot agricultural environment has the potential to be  protective against exceeding the recommended Tc38 threshold.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2165-0799",
doi="10.1177/2165079920976524",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/2165079920976524"
}