Morbidity index in a working population exposed to low environmental temperature

: We have examined 4 factories with a working people of no. 85 employees, 34 men and 51 women, that are employed in several jobs, like cutting and cleaning fish or canning, packaging and storing in refrigerator cells. We have analysed absences out of work because of common diseases in 4 factories from 1999 to 2001 and we have calculated the morbidity index. To characterize the environmental climate in factories we have used a very known index called: the operative temperature (T.O.). Supposing that environmental microclimatic conditions could influence a lot of absences out of work because of diseases, we have studied and compared the average operative temperature measured in 4 factories and respective index of morbidity. We have observed direct association between increasing of morbidity and low operative temperature. Cold temperature is not the only environmental risk factor but surely it is an important evidence based working risk factor even if it needs further studies in other industrial activities.