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Environmental Heat Exposure and Heat-Related Symptoms in United States Coast Guard Deepwater Horizon Disaster Responders

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 November 2018

Elizabeth A. Erickson ,
Lawrence S. Engel ,
Kate Christenbury ,
Laura Weems ,
Erica G. Schwartz  and
Jennifer A. Rusiecki
Elizabeth A. Erickson*
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
Lawrence S. Engel
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Kate Christenbury
Affiliation:
Social & Scientific Systems, Durham, North Carolina
Laura Weems
Affiliation:
; Safety and Occupational Health Office, United StatesArmy Corps of Engineers, Little Rock, Arkansas
Erica G. Schwartz
Affiliation:
Directorate of Health, Safety and Work Life, United StatesCoast Guard, Washington, DC
Jennifer A. Rusiecki
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Elizabeth A. Erickson, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bldg. A, Room 1040A, Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 (e-mail: elizabeth.erickson@usuhs.edu).
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Abstract

Objectives

The response to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill was impacted by heat. We evaluated the association between environmental heat exposure and self-reported heat-related symptoms in US Coast Guard Deepwater Horizon disaster responders.

Methods

Utilizing climate data and postdeployment survey responses from 3648 responders, we assigned heat exposure categories based on both wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and heat index (HI) measurements (median, mean, maximum). We calculated prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) via adjusted Poisson regression models with robust error variance to estimate associations with reported heat-related symptoms. We also evaluated the association between use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and heat-related symptoms.

Results

Those in the highest WBGT median–based heat exposure category had increased prevalence of heat-related symptoms compared to those in the lowest category (PR=2.22 [95% CI: 1.61, 3.06]), and there was a significant exposure-response trend (P<.001). Results were similar for exposure categories based on WBGT and HI metrics. Analyses stratified by use of PPE found significantly stronger associations between environmental heat exposure and heat-related symptoms in those who did not use PPE (PR=2.23 [95% CI: 1.10, 4.51]) than in those who did (PR=1.64 [95% CI: 1.14, 2.36]).

Conclusions

US Coast Guard Deepwater Horizon disaster responders who experienced higher levels of environmental heat had higher prevalences of heat-related symptoms. These symptoms may impact health, safety, and mission effectiveness. As global climate change increases the frequency of disasters and weather extremes, actions must be taken to prevent heat-related health impacts among disaster responders. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:561-569)

Keywords

disaster responseheat exposureheat illnessDeepwater Horizonoil spill response
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 13 , Issue 3 , June 2019 , pp. 561 - 569
Copyright
Copyright © 2018 Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 

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