Evaluating DNA damage and HSP70 levels in workers exposed to occupational heat stress in select workplaces in Tamilnadu

Abstract

One of the most concerning environmental effects of climate change is rising levels of extreme heat which already poses serious risks in many parts of the world Climate change scenarios modelled by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report project rising temperatures and an increase in frequency and intensity of heat extremes in the coming decades South Asia is a subtropical region characterized by high average summer time temperatures Heat exposure poses a significant risk for residents in subtropical and tropical regions particularly for the working population engaged in physical labour for who additional heat load due to the metabolic heat generated while working There is serious concern for South Asian cities which over the past several decades have experienced an overall increase in heat episodes accompanied by an increase in heat related deaths Vulnerability to heat stress is highly differentiated by age, socioeconomic status, and occupation. Workers, who endure hot conditions outside without access to shade or sufficient water, are at increased risk of heat strain and heat stroke Workers in low and middle income tropical countries are likely at highest risk of excessive heat exposure due to the combined effect of heavy workload due to lack of automation and projections of substantial temperature increases due to global climate change newline newline newline