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 Central America was initially thought to be linked to chemicals or toxins. In early stages it may be treated with medications, but as kidneys fail over time they may require dialysis to filter the blood, and ultimately they can fail entirely, leading to death or kidney transplant. The study, published today in Environmental Health Perspectives, found that there were more cases and deaths from heat-related diseases than previously thought. 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 Sri Lanka. Workers in Africa and the Middle East 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 Central America was initially thought to be linked to chemicals or toxins. The study, published today in Environmental Health Perspectives, found that there were more cases and deaths from heat-related diseases than previously thought. 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 Sri Lanka. Workers in Africa and the Middle East may also be at risk.