Harari Arjona Raul, Piñeiros Jessika, Ayabaca Marcelo, Harari Freire Florencia
Institute for Development of Production and Work Environment (IFA), Quito, Ecuador.
National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (INAMHI), Quito, Ecuador.
Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2016 Jul-Sep;52(3):368-373. doi: 10.4415/ANN_16_03_08.
Climate change is a global concern but little is known about its potential health effects in workers from non-industrialized countries. Ecuadorian workers from the coast (hot environments) and Andean region (elevated UV radiation) might be at particular risk of such effects. In the Andean region, measurements of UV index show maximum levels exceeding 11, a level considered being extreme according to the WHO. Also, an increased incidence of skin cancer was reported the last decennium, this being the second most common cancer type in men and women. In the coast, a high reported prevalence of kidney disease in agricultural workers is suggested to be related to exposure to hot temperatures. The scarce data available on occupational health in Ecuadorian agricultural workers raise the need for further investigation. Data worldwide shows an increasing prevalence of UV radiation- and heat stress-related illnesses in agricultural workers and urges the adoption of preventive measures.
气候变化是一个全球关注的问题，但对于它对非工业化国家工人潜在的健康影响却知之甚少。来自沿海地区（炎热环境）和安第斯地区（紫外线辐射较强）的厄瓜多尔工人可能尤其面临此类影响的风险。在安第斯地区，紫外线指数测量显示最高水平超过11，根据世界卫生组织的标准，这一水平被视为极端情况。此外，过去十年报告的皮肤癌发病率有所上升，这是男性和女性中第二常见的癌症类型。在沿海地区，据报告农业工人中肾病的高患病率被认为与高温暴露有关。厄瓜多尔农业工人职业健康方面可用数据稀缺，这就需要进一步开展调查。全球数据显示，农业工人中与紫外线辐射和热应激相关疾病的患病率在上升，这促使人们采取预防措施。
