THERMOREGULATION RESPONSES OF WORKERS IN HOT ENVIRONMENTS UNDER OUT AND INDOOR CONDITIONS WITH DIFFERENT WORKLOADS

Abstract

The present study targeted workers carrying different workloads (light, moderate and heavy) under different thermal environments of Khartoum state; the objective was to assess the impact of thermal environment (indoors/outdoors). Outdoor subjects were those working in building construction while indoor subjects were working in textile and glassware factories. The control subjects were selected from those employed at the National Health Laboratory. Parameters measured were: body temperature, heat strain (PSI), fluid intake, urine specific gravity and sweating rate. The results showed that body temperatures increased significantly (P <0.01) during and after work compared to before work and were higher with subjects with heavy workloads and moderate than light and control groups and were higher for indoor than outdoor subjects. Significant positive correlations (P <0.001) were obtained between body temperatures and heat strain.  Water intake was found to be positively correlated (P <0.001) with sweat rate and urine volume. Sweat rates increased with PSI.