Department of Immunology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Department of Immunology, Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
PLoS One. 2024 May 6;19(5):e0302847. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0302847. eCollection 2024.
Heat exposure exceeding the ISO7243:1989 standard limit can contribute to health problems among employees in a variety of workplaces. Ignoring heat standard requirements in hot working conditions such as bakeries results in physiologic and health problems, as well as an elevated risk of later illnesses. In this analytical case-control study, the serum levels of four inflammatory factors (interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein) were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. 105 male artisan bakers (in four job classifications in bakeries and staff) were compared based on demographic characteristics and inflammatory factors. The findings of the study showed correlations between serum interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein levels and thermal exposure in the occupational environment and employment type. Moreover, some differences in serum level of interleukin-1β and job type were observed. Heat overexposure affected the increase of interleukin-1β and C-reactive protein secretion. As a result of years of working in high-temperature conditions, inflammation can lead to subsequent diseases in workers. To protect their health from this occupational hazard, additional safeguards are needed. Our recommendations could also be applied to overly hot work environments that may cause heat stress in workers.
在各种工作场所，热暴露超过 ISO7243:1989 标准限值可能会导致员工健康问题。在烘焙等高温作业环境中忽视热标准要求会导致生理和健康问题，以及日后患病的风险增加。在这项分析性病例对照研究中，采用酶联免疫吸附试验评估了四种炎症因子（白细胞介素-1β、白细胞介素-6、肿瘤坏死因子-α和 C 反应蛋白）的血清水平。根据人口统计学特征和炎症因子，比较了 105 名男性工匠面包师（烘焙店和员工中的四个职业分类）。研究结果表明，职业环境和就业类型中的热暴露与血清白细胞介素-1β、白细胞介素-6 和 C 反应蛋白水平之间存在相关性。此外，还观察到血清白细胞介素-1β和工作类型之间存在一些差异。热暴露过度会影响白细胞介素-1β和 C 反应蛋白的分泌增加。由于多年在高温环境下工作，炎症可能导致工人随后患病。为了保护他们的健康免受这种职业危害，需要采取额外的保护措施。我们的建议也可以应用于可能导致工人热应激的过热工作环境。
