How does the body control heat gain and heat loss? Back to top A rise in the body temperature results in heat illnesses, which can be very serious. In a very hot environment, the rate of "heat gain" is more than the rate of "heat loss" and the body temperature begins to rise. In this way, the body increases the rate of heat loss to balance the heat burden. The body's internal "thermostat" maintains a constant inner body temperature by pumping more blood to the skin and by increasing sweat production. Exposure limits developed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists for heat stress are based on maintaining the core body temperature within one 1✬ of normal (37✬).Īs the environment warms-up, the body tends to warm-up as well. A change of body temperature of more than 1☌ occurs only during illness or when environmental conditions are more than the body's ability to cope with extreme heat. Variations, usually of less than 1☌, occur with the time of the day, level of physical activity or emotional state. The healthy human body maintains its internal temperature around 37☌. How does the human body react to hot environments? Back to top Please see Hot Environments - Control Measures for information about the prevention and control for heat exposure. This OSH Answers document contains information about the health effects of hot environments. In all instances, the cause of heat stress is a working environment which can potentially overwhelm the body's ability to deal with heat. In laundries, restaurant kitchens, bakeries, and canneries.In outdoor occupations, such as construction, road repair, open-pit mining and agriculture, summer sunshine is the main source of heat.In foundries, steel mills,, smelters, glass factories, and furnaces where extremely hot or molten material is the main source of heat.Heat may be a concern in many workplaces. As the heat stress approaches human tolerance limits, the risk of heat-related disorders increases." Other heat-related terms are defined at the end of this document in the Glossary of Terms. A mild or moderate heat stress may cause discomfort and may adversely affect performance and safety, but it is not harmful to health. "Heat stress" is the "net heat load to which a worker may be exposed from the combined contributions of metabolic heat, environmental factors (i.e., air temperature, humidity, air movement, and radiant heat), and clothing requirements. You are here: Hot Environments - Health Effects and First Aid
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