Respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function in paint industry workers exposed to volatile organic compounds: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several epidemiological studies have examined the respiratory consequences of occupational exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, their effects on paint industry workers in organised and unorganised occupational sectors vary. The present systematic review and meta-analysis aim at evaluating the respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function of paint industry workers from various occupational sectors exposed to VOCs.

Effectiveness of heat stress interventions among outdoor workers: a protocol paper.

Introduction: Heavy work in scorching temperatures can cause dehydration and heat stress, which can lead to a number of heat-related diseases. Heavy work in intense heat without rest or hydration is the main cause. The "Water, Rest, Shade" (WRS) intervention program for outdoor workers in hot weather reduces heat stress.

Occupational heat exposure and its impact on kidney health among cashew workers.

Background: Rising temperatures increase workers' risk of heat-related illnesses due to heat stress (HS). Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is rising in non-agricultural workers in hot climates. Dehydration, heat stress, and physical exertion can damage cashew workers' kidney health.

Effect of Volatile Organic Compounds on Pulmonary Functions Among Paint Industry Workers of Unorganized Sectors.

Background Paint industry workers are constantly exposed to paints and organic solvents that contain a substantial quantity of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to VOC emissions could result in pulmonary, neurobehavioral, and hematological consequences. Limited studies have been undertaken in India to assess the health consequences of VOCs among paint industry workers in unorganized sectors.

Poor personal protective equipment practices were associated with heat-related symptoms among Asian healthcare workers: a large-scale multi-national questionnaire survey.

Background: It is pertinent to understand the perceptions of healthcare workers (HCWs) with their associated personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and heat strain symptoms experienced to effectively combat the negative effects of heat stress during treatment and care activities.

Methods: We evaluated the associated heat stress perceived by HCWs across Asia and validated a questionnaire on perceptions of heat stress, associated PPE usage, and heat strain symptoms experienced. The questionnaire was administered to 3,082 HCWs in six Asian regions.

Heat stress and adverse pregnancy outcome: Prospective cohort study.

Objective: To explore the relationship between occupational heat exposure, physiological heat strain indicators and adverse outcomes in pregnant women.

Design: Prospective cohort.

Setting: Workplaces in Tamil Nadu, India.

Occupational Heat Stress and Kidney Health in Salt Pan Workers.

Introduction: Work in heat affects millions of workers. Although kidney function in agricultural workers is increasingly researched, nonagricultural studies are scarce. In coastal salt pans, the absence of occupational exposures to pesticides and other toxicants allows assessment of heat stress alone.

Clinical findings and kidney morphology in chronic kidney disease of unknown cause in India.

Background: Chronic kidney disease of unknown cause (CKDu) is an emerging health problem in India and other countries worldwide. However, clinical descriptions, including kidney pathology, are scarce.

Methods: This is a descriptive case series of patients with CKDu from an endemic region in India, with a focus on clinical and biochemical characteristics, kidney biopsy findings, and environmental exposure.

Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology in India: What Do We Know and Where We Need to Go.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) not associated with known risk factors has been reported from parts of India and is presumed to be similar to CKD of unknown etiology (CKDu) that has been described from Central America. The reports from India have been fragmented without clear description of the disease phenotype or its determinants. This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge around CKDu in India based on a review of literature, multi-stakeholder consultation, and a survey of Indian nephrologists.

Challenges in conducting epidemiological field studies evaluating associations between heat stress and renal health among workers in informal sectors: experiences from India.

Well-designed Environmental Epidemiological Studies (EES) play a crucial role in quantifying the influence of environmental exposures and their associated risks on health in the wider population. They provide critical research evidence for identifying and developing interventions to avert adverse health consequences from those exposures. However, uncertainty and variability inherent to any field based EES could hinder the nature and magnitude of association between an exposure and health outcome.

Heat Stress and Thermal Perception amongst Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic in India and Singapore.

The need for healthcare workers (HCWs) to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic heightens their risk of thermal stress. We assessed the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of HCWs from India and Singapore regarding PPE usage and heat stress when performing treatment and care activities. One hundred sixty-five HCWs from India ( = 110) and Singapore ( = 55) participated in a survey.

Risk of kidney stone among workers exposed to high occupational heat stress - A case study from southern Indian steel industry.

Background: Predicted temperature rise is likely to increase the risks of development and progression of renal/urologic anomalies for workers engaged in physically exerting and high-heat occupations.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with 340 steelworkers engaged in moderate to heavy labour with ≥3 year's heat exposures and assessed Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and heat-strain indicators. We captured self-reported heat-strain and kidney symptoms using validated questionnaires and subjected 91 workers to renal ultrasound upon referral of an occupational health specialist to detect and confirm any structural renal anomalies/stones.

Association between occupational heat stress and DNA damage in lymphocytes of workers exposed to hot working environments in a steel industry in Southern India.

Occupational heat stress apart from adverse heat-related health consequences also induces DNA damage in workers exposed to high working temperatures. We investigated the association between chronic heat exposures and Micronuclei (MN) frequency in lymphocytes of 120 workers employed in the steel industry. There was a significant increase in the MN-frequency in exposed workers compared to the unexposed workers .

Climate change-induced heat risks for migrant populations working at brick kilns in India: a transdisciplinary approach.

During the summer of 2015, India was hit by a scorching heat wave that melted pavements in Delhi and caused thousands of deaths, mainly among the most marginalized populations. One such group facing growing heat risks from both occupational and meteorological causes are migrant brick kiln workers. This study evaluates both current heat risks and the potential future impacts of heat caused by climate change, for the people working at brick kilns in India.

Occupational Heat Stress Impacts on Health and Productivity in a Steel Industry in Southern India.

Background: Workers laboring in steel industries in tropical settings with high ambient temperatures are subjected to thermally stressful environments that can create well-known risks of heat-related illnesses and limit workers' productivity.

Methods: A cross-sectional study undertaken in a steel industry in a city nicknamed "Steel City" in Southern India assessed thermal stress by wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and level of dehydration from urine color and urine specific gravity. A structured questionnaire captured self-reported heat-related health symptoms of workers.

Research in occupational heat stress in India: Challenges and opportunities.

Occupational heat stress is a major health burden with several potential negative health and well-being outcomes. It is only in the recent years medical research has addressed this risk factor. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of studies in the area of occupational heat stress and its health impacts.

Heat stress and inadequate sanitary facilities at workplaces - an occupational health concern for women?

Background: Health concerns unique to women are growing with the large number of women venturing into different trades that expose them to hot working environments and inadequate sanitation facilities, common in many Indian workplaces.

Objective: The study was carried out to investigate the health implications of exposures to hot work environments and inadequate sanitation facilities at their workplaces for women workers.

Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 312 women workers in three occupational sectors in 2014-2015.

Occupational Heat Stress Profiles in Selected Workplaces in India.

Health and productivity impacts from occupational heat stress have significant ramifications for the large workforce of India. This study profiled occupational heat stress impacts on the health and productivity of workers in select organized and unorganized Indian work sectors. During hotter and cooler seasons, Wet Bulb Globe Temperatures (WBGT) were used to quantify the risk of heat stress, according to International workplace guidelines.

Occupational heat stress and associated productivity loss estimation using the PHS model (ISO 7933): a case study from workplaces in Chennai, India.

Background: Heat stress is a major occupational problem in India that can cause adverse health effects and reduce work productivity. This paper explores this problem and its impacts in selected workplaces, including industrial, service, and agricultural sectors in Chennai, India.

Design: Quantitative measurements of heat stress, workload estimations, and clothing testing, and qualitative information on health impacts, productivity loss, etc.