Can the NWS Heat Index Substitute for Wet Bulb Globe Temperature for Heat Stress Exposure Assessment

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bernard, Thomas E. ; Iheanacho I
• Description:
  Objective: There has been substantial research about the effects of heat stress on human health. Past findings have led to the creation of several heat stress indices and the development of occupational heat exposure limits. The established occupational heat exposure limits currently use the wet-bulb globe temperature index (WBGT). However, Steadman's Heat Index (HI) has high visibility because it is promoted by the National Weather Service. The objective of this study was to determine whether the Heat Index can substitute for the WBGT index. Methods: Following the methods and data used to establish the WBGT exposure limits and subsequent studies that determined the upper sustainable exposure, WBGT and HI were compared. Results: While there was a general linear correlation between WBGT and HI, there was a loss of agreement at high and low humidities. Conclusion: In order to safely use HI in lieu of WBGT, the relationship between the two should be established for a particular workplace of geographical location. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Environmental Exposure Heat Stress Disorders Hot Temperature Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Temperature
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: Stress Exposure Levels Health Effects Heat Exposure Heat Index Heat Stress Humans Index Occupational Exposure Limit Occupational Exposure Limits OELs Risk Factors Steadman Temperature Effects WBGT

  More +
• Publisher:
  University of South Florida (USF)
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Abstract or Summary
• Place as Subject:
  Florida ; OSHA Region 4
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  11
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20063765
• Citation:
  Sunshine ERC Research Poster Session/USF Health Research Day, February 20-22, 2014, Tampa, Florida. Tampa, FL: University of South Florida (USF), 2014 Feb; :11
• Contact Point Address:
  Ivory Iheanacho, University of South Florida
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2014
• Performing Organization:
  Sunshine Education and Research Center, University of South Florida
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  Sunshine ERC Research Poster Session/USF Health Research Day, February 20-22, 2014, Tampa, Florida
• End Date:
  20290630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:f964a89b025e96ee4de0af5eedc69d19e5ec23abdc17b1a8059e7c590b383f29d9c2d0f6a3b7511b77dd6af1e659020eb488aeecb686829d74d69a4c680c59ae
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/222321/cdc_222321_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 183.35 KB ]