SOURCE: http://bit.ly/1qe2hbO Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, online May 5, 2016. A new study shows that epidemics of kidney disease in workers exposed to high temperatures may be linked to a global increase in the number of heat waves caused by climate change. Researchers studied increases in chronic kidney disease among groups such as poor agricultural workers after an epidemic of such disease amongst male sugar cane workers in Africa was initially thought to be linked to chemicals or toxins. However, higher levels of illness were discovered among cane cutters than amongst those applying pesticides. This suggested that the workers most at risk were those experiencing the most intense physical exertion and highest temperatures. Other epidemics are affecting Andhra Pradesh in India and also 100,000 rice workers in India . Workers in Central America and Africa may also be at risk.
A new study shows that epidemics of kidney disease in workers exposed to high temperatures may be linked to a global increase in the number of heat waves caused by climate change. Researchers studied increases in chronic kidney disease among groups such as poor agricultural workers after an epidemic of such disease amongst male sugar cane workers in Africa was initially thought to be linked to chemicals or toxins. However, higher levels of illness were discovered among cane cutters than amongst those applying pesticides. This suggested that the workers most at risk were those experiencing the most intense physical exertion and highest temperatures. Other epidemics are affecting Andhra Pradesh in India and also 100,000 rice workers in India . Workers in Central America and Africa may also be at risk.