Acute Kidney Injury Among Florida Construction Workers: A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Environmental Medicine
• Nephrology

Background:

• Construction workers face high mortality rates from heat exposure.
• Prevalence of heat-related illness (HRI) symptoms, dehydration, and kidney dysfunction in this population is understudied.
• Occupational heat exposure is a critical public health concern.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a field-based biomedical study on construction workers.
• To characterize HRI symptoms, dehydration, and kidney dysfunction.
• To analyze predictors of dehydration, including work hours and fluid consumption.

Main Methods:

• 58 construction workers in Central Florida were monitored.
• Biomedical data (serum creatinine, urine specific gravity) and HRI symptoms were collected pre- and post-work shift.
• Statistical models analyzed relationships between urine specific gravity and various predictors.

Main Results:

• The average heat index was 88.4°F.
• 42% of workers reported HRI symptoms; dehydration affected 75% pre-work and 78% post-work.
• Acute kidney injury (AKI) was observed in 38% of participants, with severe dehydration increasing significantly.

Conclusions:

• This is the first US field study documenting AKI, dehydration, and HRI symptoms in construction workers.
• Occupational heat exposure is confirmed as a risk factor for AKI and dehydration.
• Findings underscore the need for interventions to mitigate heat-related risks in construction.