Prof. Essam Mohamed El Sawaf :: Publications:

One hundred &fifty nine workers. constituting 3 groups have been selected randomly ]rom 3 hot environments. The Jirst group included 89 workers ojpublic cleanliness. who practice their job in the ambient environment in streets where it is very hot and humid in summer season. The second group consisted oj35 mechanics ]rom 7 car repair shops. Thirty five bakers represented the third group. An inter groups comparison was carried out. Comparing with workers ojpublic cleanliness and mechanics. bakers showed the highest prevalences oj heat exhaustion (34.28 %). heat cramps (28.57 %) and past history ojheat stroke (8.57 %). Also. the highest prevalence oj reduced serur sodium (37.14 %) with the lowest mean value (127.34 ± 2.24 mmol/L) were revealed among the bakers. These results wereJound to be in accordance with the order ojseverity oj WBGT in the examined locations. It was Jound that 30.30 % oj the workers with manifestations ojsystemic heat disorders were exposed to the hot environments Jar < 5 years. while 64.28 % ojthe workers with no manifestations had durations ojexposure ?1 0 years. This may nejlect the effect ojacclimatization that can be acquired by repeated exposure to heat in some occupations. Elderly persons wereJound to be at higher risk ojdeveloping the mani587