Institute of Health Sciences and the Center for Environmental and Respiratory Health Research, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland.
Glob Health Action. 2011;4. doi: 10.3402/gha.v4i0.8456. Epub 2011 Oct 10.
Circumpolar areas are associated with prolonged cold exposure where wind, precipitation, and darkness further aggravate the environmental conditions and the associated risks. Despite the climate warming, cold climatic conditions will prevail in circumpolar areas and contribute to adverse health effects. Frostbite is a freezing injury where localized damage affects the skin and other tissues. It occurs during occupational or leisure-time activities and is common in the general population among men and women of various ages. Industries of the circumpolar areas where frostbite occurs frequently include transportation, mining, oil, and gas industry, construction, agriculture, and military operations. Cold injuries may also occur during leisure-time activities involving substantial cold exposure, such as mountaineering, skiing, and snowmobiling. Accidental situations (occupational, leisure time) often contribute to adverse cooling and cold injuries. Several environmental (temperature, wind, wetness, cold objects, and altitude) and individual (behavior, health, and physiology) predisposing factors are connected with frostbite injuries. Vulnerable populations include those having a chronic disease (cardiovascular, diabetes, and depression), children and the elderly, or homeless people. Frostbite results in sequelae causing different types of discomfort and functional limitations that may persist for years. A frostbite injury is preventable, and hence, unacceptable from a public health perspective. Appropriate cold risk management includes awareness of the adverse effects of cold, individual adjustment of cold exposure and clothing, or in occupational context different organizational and technical measures. In addition, vulnerable population groups need customized information and care for proper prevention of frostbites.
极地地区与长时间的寒冷暴露有关，那里的风、降水和黑暗进一步加剧了环境条件和相关风险。尽管气候在变暖，但极地地区仍将处于寒冷气候条件下，并导致不良健康影响。冻伤是一种冷冻损伤，局部损伤会影响皮肤和其他组织。它发生在职业或休闲活动期间，在不同年龄的男性和女性普通人群中很常见。极地地区经常发生冻伤的行业包括交通运输、采矿、石油和天然气工业、建筑、农业和军事行动。在涉及大量寒冷暴露的休闲活动中，如登山、滑雪和雪地摩托，也可能发生冷伤。意外情况（职业、休闲时间）经常导致不利的冷却和冷伤。一些环境（温度、风、湿度、冷物体和海拔）和个体（行为、健康和生理）易患因素与冻伤损伤有关。脆弱人群包括患有慢性病（心血管疾病、糖尿病和抑郁症）、儿童和老年人或无家可归者的人群。冻伤会导致不同类型的不适和功能限制的后遗症，这些后遗症可能会持续多年。冻伤是可以预防的，因此从公共卫生的角度来看是不可接受的。适当的寒冷风险管理包括了解寒冷的不良影响、个人调整寒冷暴露和穿着、或在职业环境中采取不同的组织和技术措施。此外，弱势群体需要针对适当预防冻伤的定制信息和护理。
