UN Warns 70% Of The World’s Workforce Is Exposed To Excessive Heat During Their Careers

The United Nations labor organization warned that more than 70% of the world's workforce will be subjected to extreme heat over their careers, citing rising concern about solar exposure.

It also cautioned about air pollution, pesticides, and other risks that could cause health problems, including cancer.

Exposure To Excess Heat

In a new report, the International Labor Organization, estimates 2.4 billion people, or more than 70% of the worldwide workforce, are anticipated to confront severe heat as part of their professions at some point beginning in 2020. That is up from more than 65% in 2000.

It also said that 1.6 billion workers are exposed to ultraviolet radiation as part of their jobs, citing nearly 19,000 deaths per year from non-melanoma skin cancer, as well as ailments such as sunburn, skin blistering, eye damage, cataracts, and retinal problems such as macular degeneration.

The same number of workers-1.6 billion-are exposed to occupational air pollution, "resulting in up to 860,000 work-related deaths among outdoor workers annually," according to a statement.

The study also highlighted that some subsets of workers are especially those vulnerable, such as firefighters in the United States fighting wildfires, which experts say have grown in size and frequency as a result of climate change due to high temperatures and overly dry circumstances.

"Workers are often forgotten when we're talking about climate change and the health impacts are very severe from death, to millions of sick people because of hazards exacerbated by climate change, but also millions living with chronic diseases," said Manal Azzi, the organization's team lead.

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Government Actions

The impact of climate change on workers extends far beyond exposure to extreme heat, according to the paper, creating a "cocktail of hazards" that result in a variety of severe health issues.

It says that climate change has been connected to a variety of worker health concerns, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory ailments, kidney dysfunction, and mental health issues.

Some countries have responded by passing legislation that requires regular surveillance of workers who are frequently exposed to heat, excessive sunshine, air pollution, and other health dangers on the job.

In other circumstances, the ILO reports that collective bargaining agreements between labor and corporate leaders have helped to limit hazards.

"Occupational safety and health considerations must be become part of our climate change responses - both policies and actions," Azzi stressed.

Meanwhile, UN agencies and environmental activists are increasingly emphasizing the link between climate change and human health. Planet Earth saw its tenth consecutive month of record monthly temperatures in March, according to the European Union's climate service.

According to the World Health Organization, only a few climate-related hazards, such as malaria and water scarcity, would kill a quarter of a million people each year between 2030 and 2050.

By 2030, the direct health damage cost are expected to be between $2 and $4 billion per year. Areas with inadequate health infrastructure, primarily in developing countries, will be the least equipped to cope without aid in preparing and responding.

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