Consol Serra,
Researcher at the Center for Research in Occupational Health at the UPF and professor of the Medicine and Life Sciences Department

The energy crisis caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine poses a serious threat to efforts to combat the climate crisis. As a result of global warming, exposure to extreme temperatures is considered a public health problem, with very serious repercussions for health in the form of infectious, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The study of this problem has focused on the most serious indicators, such as hospitalizations and mortality.

However, climate change is also affecting the health of younger populations, i.e. people of working age, albeit more mildly. Exposure to high temperatures in the work environment is associated with a significant loss of ability to work, entailing economic costs equivalent to 0.5% of GDP.¹

The scientific evidence regarding exposure to extreme temperatures at work – e.g. in the metalworking industry, foundries, etc., but also in sectors such as agriculture or construction, where the work is done outside – shows an increased risk of disease (e.g. kidney disease), mortality and injuries. In other words, the relationship with occupational injuries can be explained by physiological and psychological changes associated with heat stress, which inhibits performance and concentration, whilst augmenting distraction, fatigue and dehydration, amongst other things. 

In this regard, the rate of occupational injuries attributable to exposure to high or low temperatures has been empirically shown to be as high as 3%, with very high economic costs associated with decreased productivity, workplace absences and social benefits.² In terms of which groups are most vulnerable, women are identified with low temperatures, whereas men, younger people and people in manual jobs are associated with high ones.

Another interesting indicator amongst the active population is disability, a comprehensive barometer of health status or functional capacity. It is a factor with a major impact on individuals and families, as well as on businesses and, of course, society as a whole. 

The scientific evidence of this association is not yet conclusive. However, one recent ecological study (Utzet et al.) was conducted in this line with a cohort consisting of a broad sample of Social Security-affiliated workers from the province of Barcelona. The results indicate a greater risk of temporary disability (TD) for infections and respiratory diseases, associated with exposure to extreme temperatures, especially the cold.² This effect on TD, which requires further study, could be explained as a direct physiological effect, with a worsening of the health status, or a social effect.

The repercussions of the climate crisis – one of the main threats to public and occupational health today – point to the need to gain a firm grasp of its mechanisms, as well as its impact on workers’ health and quality of life, in order to guide preventive strategies and, in so doing, reduce the resulting health, economic and social costs.

^1.Romanello M, Di Napoli C, Green C, Kennard B, Lampard P, et al. The 2022 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: health at the mercy of fossil fuels. Lancet. 2022. October 25, 2022. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(22)01540-9.

^2. Martínez-Solanas È, López-Ruiz M, Wellenius GA, Gasparrini A, Sunyer J, Benavides FG, Basagaña X. Evaluation of the impact of ambient temperatures on occupational injuries in Spain. Environ Health Perspect. 2018;126(6):067002. DOI: 10.1289/EHP2590.