Physiological reaction to work in cold microclimate.

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Physiology
• Cardiovascular Health

Background:

• Occupational exposure to cold microclimates is prevalent in Poland, affecting over 5 workers per 1000.
• Health effects associated with occupational cold exposure are not well-documented.
• This study aimed to assess physiological responses in workers exposed to cold environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the physiological reactions of workers occupationally exposed to cold microclimates.
• To investigate the impact of varying cold exposure levels on cardiovascular parameters.
• To determine if gender influences physiological responses to cold stress.

Main Methods:

• 102 workers from cold storage units underwent medical exams, cold pressor tests, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and heart rate variability (HRV) analysis.
• Participants were categorized into four groups based on ambient temperature: -26°C, 10-14°C, 18-20°C (control), and 0-10°C.
• Data were adjusted for confounding factors like age, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were observed across groups.
• Workers in the coldest group (0-10°C) exhibited significantly higher daytime and nighttime systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the 10-14°C group.
• Women exposed to colder conditions showed significantly higher systolic blood pressure; all hypertensive women reacted to cold with increased blood pressure.

Conclusions:

• Physiological responses to cold microclimate exposure are influenced by gender and ambient temperature.
• Women may exhibit greater sensitivity to cold stress compared to men, indicated by blood pressure responses.
• Further research is needed to confirm the differential sensitivity of women to cold stress in occupational settings.