Construction sites continue to operate despite inclement weather, exposing workers to unpleasant working circumstances that can lead to various physical and mental health challenges. A thorough literature review yielded 21 challenges for hot weather conditions such as heat stroke, kidney disease, heat cramps, anxiety and depression, and 20 challenges for cold weather conditions like asthma, frostbite, musculoskeletal disorders and hallucination. Workers vulnerable to hot and cold weather based on demographic characteristics were identified. The study also provides 27 strategies to address the challenges experienced in hot and cold weather conditions. Some of these include ensuring that workers stay hydrated, scheduling sufficient rest periods and allowing workers to self-pace. The results of this study will help construction decision-makers and project managers understand the difficulties faced by a field workforce who labors in extreme working conditions on construction sites and will facilitate adoption of strategies that can prevent weather-related physical and mental health problems.

A review of construction workforce health challenges and strategies in extreme weather conditions

Climate change and climate-sensitive disasters caused by climatic hazards have a significant and increasing direct and indirect impact on human health. Due to its vast area, complex geographical environment and various climatic conditions, Russia is one of the countries that suffers significantly from frequent climate hazards. This paper provides information about temperature extremes in Russia in the beginning of the 21st century, and their impact on human health. A literature search was conducted using the electronic databases Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, and e-Library, focusing on peer-reviewed journal articles published in English and in Russian from 2000 to 2021. The results are summarized in 16 studies, which are divided into location-based groups, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg and other large cities located in various climatic zones: in the Arctic, in Siberia and in the southern regions, in ultra-continental and monsoon climate. Heat waves in cities with a temperate continental climate lead to a significant increase in all-cause mortality than cold waves, compared with cities in other climatic zones. At the same time, in northern cities, in contrast to the southern regions and central Siberia, the influence of cold waves is more pronounced on mortality than heat waves. To adequately protect the population from the effects of temperature waves and to carry out preventive measures, it is necessary to know specific threshold values of air temperature in each city.

Health Risks to the Russian Population from Temperature Extremes at the Beginning of the XXI Century

The objective of the study was to analyze disease incidence and prevalence rates among university students in the city of Kaliningrad. Materials and methods. We analyzed morbidity among first to fifth year students of a civil (No. 1) and two military universities (Nos. 2 and 3) including its structure per 1,000, trends, annual incidence and prevalence rates among local and nonresident students. Results and discussion: The overall prevalence rates were higher in the military universities (1,474.9 ± 14.5 % and 930.4 ± 5.2 % in Nos. 2 and 3, respectively) than in the civil one (802.1 ± 10.3 %). In universities Nos. 1 and 3, the prevalence rates of diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue were similar while the rates of diseases of the genitourinary system were higher than those in university No. 2. We observed a higher disease prevalence rate among unacclimated students: the smaller was their percentage, the lower was the overall rate. In the universities 1-3 the prevalence rates in local and nonresident students were 779.1 ± 11.8 % and 918.9 ± 17.0 % (p = 0.000), 921.5 ± 13.5 % and 1,548.1 ± 16.9 % (p = 0.000), and 719.5 ± 12.7 % and 906.2 ± 9.6 % (p = 0.000), respectively. The nonresident students of the civil university were healthier: their prevalence rates of diseases of the eye and adnexa, mental and behavioral disorders, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue were, respectively, 2.8, 1.9 and 4.2 times lower than those in non-local students of the military establishments. Conclusions. Respiratory diseases and diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue generally prevailed among the students. The excess of the upper limit of the annual incidence rate in the same seasons and months of the year proves the role of body resistance in disease pathogenesis. The observed disease rates were higher in the military universities than in the civil one due to the specific features of nutrition, accommodation, and the educational process (curricula, indoor and outdoor classes at the training ground). The analysis of morbidity rates among students of each year is essential for the development of efficient preventive measures. General measures shall include ways and means of boosting the immune system as well as proper sanitary and hygienic conditions of students' accommodation and learning facilities.

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Анализ заболеваемости студентов гражданского и военных университетов Калининграда

This literature review summarizes the results of international studies conducted by WHO, WMO, EU, and other organizations, in the areas of assessment of climate change-induced urban health risks, and development of action plans for adaptation of public health care and other public governance bodies to climate change. The results of studies of the relationships between heat waves, cold spells, and mortality rates conducted in Russian cities have also been critically reviewed. The study cites included the largest cities (Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, etc.) situated in various climate zones: Arctic, South European part of Russia, continental and monsoon climate zones. These studies showed that heat waves in the cities with moderately continental climate typically lead to greater increases in all-cause mortality rates than cold spells, relative to the cities located in other climate zones. At the same time, the health impacts of cold spells were more pronounced than those of heat waves in the north cities, which was not observed in the Russian South or Middle Siberia cities. On average, cold spells are characterized by greater health risks in the north cities than in the south cities. The values of the 3rd and 97th percentiles of long-term distributions of daily mean temperatures can be used as the threshold values for hazardous cold and heat waves. The health action plans should be activated when daily mean temperatures fall below the cold threshold, or exceed the heat threshold. The values of temperature thresholds depend upon local climates and are similar to hygienic standards. Russia has adopted a National Plan for adaptation to health risks induced by climate change. This plan includes the measures specifically aimed at reductions of excess mortality during heat waves and cold spells. The National Plan prescribes that similar plans should be developed for all administrative subjects of the Russian Federation. Implementation of heat wave (or cold spell) early warning systems in combination with other preventive measures can effectively reduce the numbers of excess deaths during extreme weather events.

Риски здоровью российского населения от погодных экстремумов в начале XXI в. Часть 1. Волны жары и холода

Comparative analysis of the incidence was conducted for the leading classes – “Respiratory diseases” and “Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue” – among cadets of two military schools studying in the same climatic region. General features in prevalence, indicators, structure, trends by years of study, and general features in the seasonality of increase in annual incidence are revealed. Role of the influence of synergistic risk factors for health is determined.

Analysis of incidence of cadets studying in one climate region according to priority classes of diseases

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Health risks for workers caused by weather and climatic conditions during a cold season

Introduction. The evaluation of the impact influence of weather and climatic conditions on humans in cold (winter) period was done since there was not the method of evaluation of working conditions according to the degree of harmfulness and danger. Also, the sanitary norms and rules 2.2.4.3359-16 does not contain the method of risk evaluation of the influence of factors upon the human organism. Мaterial and Methods. The authors evaluated the influence of various combinations of ambient temperature and wind speed upon under conditions of IV climatic region in I zone (the Republic of Dagestan - at an altitude of 4 m., 1040 m. and 1661 m above sea level and the Kaliningrad region) according to wind cooling. It was found a possible discomfort sensation at an average speed of winds and temperatures (wind cooling index (WCI) more 763,7 Kcal/m2) as well as overcooling risk in combinations of average temperature and maximum wind speed, an average speed of the wind and the minimum temperature. Maximum wind speeds in combination with minimal temperatures exceeded WCI threshold by 1,25-2,1 times. It should be noted that the studies were conducted under conditions of an increased humidity which had a negative influence upon the human organism, but in combination with the high wind speed and low temperatures, the effect might be more considerable. results. In accordance with the method, in attachment 17 in manual Р 2.2.2006-05, working conditions were classified as harmful. By calculation on indices of the minimal temperature and maximum wind speed, indices of equivalent temperatures reached up to considerable values. Probably, the use of the method does not prove its value. conclusion. The fixing of complex influence (in the cold period) of air velocity, ambient temperature, air humidity and detecting of health risk due to weather and climatic conditions remain a topical theoretical and practical problem.

On the evaluation of working conditions in open area in the winter season

The Kaliningrad region is known for its specific climate, which can negatively affect the adaptive potential of the body. This manifests in an increased incidence of respiratory diseases and skin conditions. To prevent high morbidity, a plant protein product was included in the diet of first-year university students. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of this food intervention in preventing the most common diseases among Kaliningrad students. Two groups of university students took part in the food trial. In the control group, catabolic processes prevailed in nutrient metabolism. Disadaptation manifested itself in the metabolism of proteins, vitamins, minerals, hematopoiesis and humoral immunity. Inflammation was indicated by α1- and α2-globulins, a weak immune response, and IgM and IgG. High oxidative stress and low antioxidative ability of blood serum were observed. The plant-based protein product (FP) helped preserve testosterone level and prevent an increase in catabolic reactions. Moreover, it had a positive effect on both red blood cell hematopoiesis (a smaller increase in the average volume of erythrocytes, the same average concentration and content of hemoglobin, an increased relative red cell distribution width (RDW) and white blood cell hematopoiesis (a beneficial effect for the immune system: lymphocytes, the relative content of neutrophils, monocytes, basophils and eosinophils). The stimulation of humoral immunity was evidenced by beta- and gamma-globulins, an active immune response, the level of IgM and IgG, antioxidant protection, reduction of peroxides and an increase in antioxidant activity of blood serum. The 34-week observation showed a 1.7-fold decrease in the incidence of respiratory illnesses and a 5.7-fold decrease in skin and subcutaneous tissue diseases. Acute respiratory infections were reduced 1.8-fold. There were no cases of community-acquired pneumonia in the treatment group, compared with 55.1‰ in the control group. The incidence of respiratory diseases was 3.3-10.6 times lower in the treatment group than in the control group in weeks 6-19. The findings testify to the prophylactic effect of functional food during social adaptation and acclimatization of students.

https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/6/2116/pdf

The Role of Plant-Based Protein Functional Food in Preventing Acute Respiratory Disease: A Case Study.

Student morbidity during adaptation to the weather and climate conditions of the Baltic Sea is evaluated from 2012 to 2017 in this study. The research used the Steadman apparent temperature method to analyse the health impact of physical factors and investigated student morbidity in three Kaliningrad universities that had different percentage responses to the local climate change. Apparent temperatures (T) with different combinations of meteorological parameters significantly deviated from monthly average temperatures. For the average temperature and maximum wind speed, apparent temperatures were found to be negative from September to March. In January and February, they were 7.8–16.8 times lower than the average T. With humidity (e.g., RH) unchanged, different combinations of physical factor posed no danger to a person dressed for the weather conditions. In January, at the minimum T and maximum wind speed (Uh), frostbite was possible after 20–30 of exposure. Apparent T close to the threshold value was observed in December and February. The climate of the Kaliningrad enclave is not the best for human health conditions. In the winter, there are serious risks of frostbite in uncovered parts of the body when threshold conditions were not met. Results suggested that disease susceptibility in non-local students representing all the universities was 1.2–1.7 times higher than these of locals students. Also, a relationship between morbidity and percentage of non-local students is obtained, suggesting that the weather and climate conditions will likely adversely affect human health during climate change adaptation that can likely increase the morbidity rate, particularly among the students.

Assessment of the Baltic Sea Climate Change Impact on Health

Aim. To evaluate the dynamics of metabolic status features in highly trained hockey-players during contest season. Materials and methods. 33 highly trained hockey-players were examined. Their mean age was 26.4±0.8 years old. The study was performed during contest season. The blood samples were taken 3 times: after 2.5, 4 and 6 months from the beginning of the games. Blood samples were analyzed with the use of standardized reagent kits and automatic biochemical analyzer “Konelab-20” company "Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc" (Finland). Ferritin, myoglobin, erythropoietin, testosterone and cortisol were detected using ELISA. Anabolism index was calculated for integrated evaluation of body status. The statistical data processing was conducted with the use of statistical program StatEX-2004.2. Results. High levels of cortisol in hockey-players provided evidence about psychoemotional strain during hockey season. Performed biochemical analyses showed unfavorable changes of metabolism in functioning of hockey-players’ organisms. The sportsmen were overtrained during the most part of competition period. The catabolic processes in sportsmen are typical during overtraining; these processes promote to maximum optimization of energetic processes in human body. The decrease of total protein level, increase of concentration of protein degradation products (urea and uric acid up to pathologic values), misbalance of normal mechanisms of lipid metabolism provided evidence on these processes. High physical and mental loads lead to cardiac muscle fatigue. A deficiency of magnesium may aggravate the processes and causes muscular weakness and cardiovascular diseases. It should be noted that pathologic values of lipid metabolism are risk factors of cardiovascular pathologies. Conclusion. The revealed unfavorable features of metabolic processes in highly trained hockey-players during contest season cause the need to correct them by measures aimed to support cardiac muscle and optimize its work, to decrease atherogenesis and to correct the nutrition of sportsmen.

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R. S. Rakhmanov

Papers

Health risks for workers caused by weather and climatic conditions during a cold season

On the evaluation of working conditions in open area in the winter season

The Role of Plant-Based Protein Functional Food in Preventing Acute Respiratory Disease: A Case Study.

Assessment of the Baltic Sea Climate Change Impact on Health

Особенности метаболизма организма хоккеистов высшей квалификации в ходе соревновательного периода