RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: This study characterizes physiological measures of heat exposure among US underground miners. METHODS: Core body temperature measured by using ingestible sensors during subjects' normal work shifts was categorized into four temperature zones: less than 37.5â°C, 37.5â°C to less than 38â°C, 38â°C to less than 38.5â°C, and more than or equal to 38.5â°C. RESULTS: On average, subjects changed temperature zones 13.8 times per shift. Temperatures increased above the recommended limit of 38â°C nearly 5 times per shift for an average of 26âminutes each episode. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike previous heat stress research that reported only maximum and mean temperature measurements, this analysis demonstrates a dynamic pattern of physiologic heat strain, with core body temperatures changing frequently and exceeding the 38â°C limit multiple times per shift. Further research is needed on the impact of multiple short-term, intermittent heat exposures on miners.