The heat is on: Observations and trends of heat stress metrics during Florida summers

Extreme heat is annually the deadliest weather hazard in the U.S. and is strongly amplified by climate change. In Florida, summer heat waves have increased in frequency and duration, exacerbating negative human health impacts on a state with a substantial older population and industries (e.g., agriculture) that require frequent outdoor work. However, the combined impacts of temperature and humidity (heat stress) have not been previously investigated. For eight Florida cities, this study constructs summer climatologies and trend analyses (1950–2020) of two heat stress metrics: heat index (HI) and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT). While both incorporate temperature and humidity, WBGT also includes wind and solar radiation, and is a more comprehensive measure of heat stress on the human body. With minor exceptions, results show increases in average summer daily maximum, mean, and minimum HI and WBGT throughout Florida. Daily minimum HI and WBGT exhibit statistically significant increases at all eight stations, emphasizing a hazardous rise in nighttime heat stress. Corresponding to other recent studies, HI and WBGT increases are largest in coastal subtropical locations in Central and South Florida (i.e., Daytona Beach, Tampa, Miami, Key West), but exhibit no conclusive relationship with urbanization changes. Finally, danger (103–124°F) HI and high (> 88°F) WBGT summer days exhibit significant frequency increases across the state. Especially at coastal locations in the Florida Peninsula and Keys, danger HI and high WBGT days now account for > 20% of total summer days, emphasizing a substantial escalation in heat stress, particularly since 2000.

A Review of Heat Stress Policies in the Context of Climate Change and Its Impacts on Outdoor Workers

Record-breaking summer heat events are increasing in frequency in Zimbabwe and 2016 was a particularly hot year with the country experiencing its worst heat wave event in decades. Currently, Zimbabwe has no coordinated public health response to deal with heat wave events and no specific data on heat-related morbidity and mortality. The country has no legislation for protecting workers against environmental heat exposure, particularly those most vulnerable who are employed in the informal sector. These workers are also at risk due to their outdoor work environments. The article outlines the state of climate and heat stresses in Zimbabwe, as benchmarked against other African countries and France. It further summarizes outdoor workers' susceptibility to heat exposure and the need for the Zimbabwean Government to develop policies to ensure the health and safety of an increasing population of outdoor workers in Zimbabwe.

A Review of Heat Stress Policies in the Context of Climate Change and Its Impacts on Outdoor Workers

Record-breaking summer heat events are increasing in frequency in Zimbabwe and 2016 was a particularly hot year with the country experiencing its worst heat wave event in decades. Currently, Zimbabwe has no coordinated public health response to deal with heat wave events and no specific data on heat-related morbidity and mortality. The country has no legislation for protecting workers against environmental heat exposure, particularly those most vulnerable who are employed in the informal sector. These workers are also at risk due to their outdoor work environments. The article outlines the state of climate and heat stresses in Zimbabwe, as benchmarked against other African countries and France. It further summarizes outdoor workers' susceptibility to heat exposure and the need for the Zimbabwean Government to develop policies to ensure the health and safety of an increasing population of outdoor workers in Zimbabwe.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE IMPACT OF STRAY LIGHT FROM COMMERCIAL GREENHOUSES

Stray light from commercial greenhouses is becoming a significant problem causing disruption to wildlife activity and annoyance for local residents. To quantify the amount of stray light from a typical large greenhouse the authors have modelled several lighting installations based on a range of generic horticultural light sources. The impact of the stray light is dependent on the spectral power distribution of the sources employed, the intensity and distribution. Current standards for obtrusive light from outdoor work places do not seem to be suitable when applied to greenhouses.

Sustainability of ijtihad and fatwa to respond the issue of indirect contributions in matrimonial property claim

The issue of sustainability of ijtihad and fatwas to elaborate on polemics of indirect contributions in matrimonial property claims has become an important issue today. The selection of the right ijtihad and fatwa will ensure that critical discussions in this matter can be photographed to a knowledgeable society. There are many findings of jurisprudence writing that stated the main methods in ijtihad and fatwas used by fuqahak of the past and contemporary to draw interesting discussions on this issue, but in the context of indirect contributions in matrimonial property claims, there is still much to be clarified. The main objective of this study is to find out the method of ijtihad and fatwa in the book of fiqh applied by the jurists in this issue. This study is qualitative in which a total of 20 books of turath have been researched and understood descriptively. The main collection methods used were in-depth reading and analysis and narrative evaluation was used to analyze the findings obtained. The results of the analysis prove that the indirect contribution related to housework and outdoor work, can be done Akad al-Ijarah for the wife is eligible to take a certain wage according to the jumhur view.

Skin Cancers And Their Risk Factors In Older Persons: A Population-Based Study

Background: The number of skin cancer is increasing rapidly. However, little is known about the risk factors of skin cancer in older persons. Our objectives were to determine the risk factors for skin cancer or its precursors in an older population. More specifically, to study the association of new skin cancers with previous skin cancer, sex, age, Fitzpatrick’s skin type, history of outdoor work and socioeconomic status (SES).Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study of a large, well documented historical cohort data set a total body skin examination (TBSE) was performed for 552 subjects aged between 70 and 93 years by dermatologists. The information gathered was augmented with health register data and self-reported data. The associations between skin cancer and its risk factors were studied by using the logistic regression analyses. Results: According to the TBSE skin cancer/precursor was present in 25.5% of participants and was more common in males than in females (34.5% vs 20.2%, p<0.001). Previous skin cancer increased the risk of subsequent skin cancer 2.6-fold (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.43-4.55) and male sex nearly 2-fold (1.97, 95% CI 1.26-3.08). Specific risk factors for the first occurrence of skin cancer were male sex and outdoor work. There was also association between skin cancer and age and socioeconomic status. Conclusions: TBSE is recommend for physicians treating older persons to allow early recognition of skin cancers or their precursors. Older males need particularly close attention.

New methods for assessing secondary performance attributes of sunscreens suitable for professional outdoor work

Background Outdoor workers (OW) are highly exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and thus at increased risk for developing skin cancer. An essential part of an overall strategy to reduce workplace UVR-exposure to OW’s skin is the usage of sunscreens. However, compliance with regular sunscreen usage seems to be low, as products are usually designed for recreational sun exposure and thus do not meet the requirements of physically active OW. To date, no standardized test procedures assess the suitability of sunscreens for professional use. The aim of this pilot study was to develop standardized methods of testing secondary performance attributes (PA) to represent real-life working conditions of outdoor work. Methods Ten sunscreen products, carefully selected after a detailed market survey of all relevant producers available on the German market, were evaluated regarding their suitability for professional outdoor work on 24 healthy volunteers in a newly designed test procedure. In addition to three standardized efficacy characteristics, i.e., sun protection factor, water-resistance, and UVA protection, we evaluated each PA involving parameters typically associated with outdoor workplaces. Results We developed standardized methods for objectifying the suitability of sunscreen products for professional outdoor work. The test procedures used are well feasible and appropriate for testing the PA because they represent practical working conditions in detail – although the degree of discriminability of single test methods varied. The claimed sun protection factor (SPF) of the products was confirmed; bio-stability of the SPF after physical activity was achieved in most cases. While most products hardly irritate the eyes and are quickly absorbed, the evaluation of the subjective skin feeling and non-slip grip is inconsistent. Conclusions In this pilot study, for the first time secondary PA are defined and examined. Although further objectification of the PA assessment as well as the establishment of minimum standards should be sought, the new methods could already complement the so far mandatory labels and in this way provide a significant impetus for the current scientific and political focus on the improvement of occupational health in highly UVR-exposed OW.

Frequency of conjunctivitis among farmers of district vehari, Punjab, Pakistan

Conjunctivitis is very common type of ocular problem occurring worldwide due to many type of microorganism and if not managed appropriately and timely can lead to corneal perforation or blindness Objective: To find out the frequency of conjunctivitis among farmers in District Vehari.­ Method: It was community based, cross sectional descriptive study, quantitative method was applied. The villages were selected randomly and subjects were communicated by door to door approach and examined personally with the help of ophthalmoscope and torch light. Result: A Total 200 Farmers were examined during the study period in which 33 (16.5%) Farmers were found to have conjunctivitis. Among these 29 (14.5%) patients had bacterial and 4 patients (2%) had viral conjunctivitis. And no patient was found to had allergic conjunctivitis. Conclusion: Protective measures are very important to protect eyes from any sort of pathogens and in this study maximum population were not using any protective measures while doing almost 6 hours outdoor work. Literacy rate was very poor because maximum number of patients were not getting treatment from qualified eye specialist instead of having bacterial conjunctivitis.

Kelestarian Ijtihad dan Fatwa Bagi Menyantuni Isu Sumbangan Tidak Langsung Dalam Tuntutan Harta Sepencarian:Satu Penilaian Kritis Fiqh Harta

The issue of sustainability of ijtihad and fatwas to elaborate on polemics of indirect contributions in matrimonial property claims has become an important issue today. The selection of the right ijtihad and fatwa will ensure that critical discussions in this matter can be photographed to a knowledgeable society. There are many findings of jurisprudence writing that stated the main methods in ijtihad and fatwas used by fuqahak of the past and contemporary to draw interesting discussions on this issue, but in the context of indirect contributions in matrimonial property claims, there is still much to be clarified. The main objective of this study is to find out the method of ijtihad and fatwa in the book of fiqh applied by the jurists in this issue. This study is qualitative in which a total of 20 books of turath have been researched and understood descriptively. The main collection methods used were in-depth reading and analysis and narrative evaluation was used to analyze the findings obtained. The results of the analysis prove that the indirect contribution related to housework and outdoor work, can be done Akad al-Ijarah for the wife is eligible to take a certain wage according to the jumhur view. It relates to the limited amount that is still pending payment and is included in the matrimonial property. The study also found that indirect contributions related to outdoor work as well, can be done Akad Syarikat al-Abdan according to the view of the school of al-Hanafiyyah and can be associated with the amount of profits that grow and put into matrimonial property. In addition, the Islamic Family Law Enactment also does not specify in detail the conditions of property ownership as determined by Islamic law. This study suggests that a guideline can be translated into the minds of the Muslim community in Malaysia continuously to ensure that this polemic can be clarified and the benefits to be fought for can be maintained. Abstrak Isu kelestarian ijtihad dan fatwa untuk merungkai polemik dan menyantuni permasalahan sumbangan tidak langsung dalam tuntutan harta sepencarian telah menjadi isu penting pada hari ini. Pemilihan ijtihad dan fatwa yang tepat akan memastikan perbincangan secara kritis dalam hal ini dapat dipotretkan kepada masyarakat yang cakna ilmu. Terdapat banyak dapatan penulisan ilmu fiqah yang menyatakan kaedah utama dalam ijtihad dan fatwa yang digunakan fuqahak zaman silam dan kontemporari untuk melakar perbincangan yang menarik dalam isu yang diketengahkan ini, namun begitu dalam konteks sumbangan tidak langsung dalam tuntutan harta sepencarian, masih banyak yang perlu diperjelaskan. Objektif utama kajian ini ialah untuk mengetahui kaedah ijtihad dan fatwa di dalam kitab fiqah yang diaplikasikan oleh para fuqahak dalam isu ini. Kajian ini berbentuk kualitatif di mana sejumlah 20 buah kitab turath telah diteliti dan difahami secara deskriptif. Kaedah pengumpulan utama yang digunakan ialah pembacaan dan analisis mendalam dan penilaian naratif telah digunakan untuk menganalisis dapatan yang diperoleh. Hasil analisis membuktikan bahawa sumbangan tak langsung yang berkait dengan hal ehwal rumah dan diluarnya, boleh dilakukan Akad al-Ijarah untuk si isteri layak mengambil upah tertentu mengikut pandangan jumhur. Ia berkaitan dengan jumlah terhad yang masih tertangguh pembayarannya dan dimasukkan ke dalam harta sepencarian. Kajian juga mendapati bahawa sumbangan tak langsung yang berkait dengan kerja luar rumah juga, boleh dilakukan Akad Syarikat al-Abdan mengikut pandangan mazhab al-Hanafiyyah dan boleh dikaitkan dengan jumlah keuntungan yang berkembang dan dimasukkan ke dalam harta sepencarian. Selain itu, Enakman Undang-Undang Keluarga Islam juga tidak mengkhususkan secara terperinci syarat-syarat pemilikan harta yang ditentukan oleh hukum syarak. Kajian ini mencadangkan supaya satu garis panduan dapat diterjemahkan dalam minda masyarakat Islam di Malaysia secara berterusan untuk memastikan polemik yang berkecamuk ini dapat diperjelaskan dan terjaga kemaslahatan yang ingin diperjuangkan.