Limitations of WBGT Index for Application in Industries:  A Systematic Review

FARIDEH  GOLBABAEI; AKBAR  AHMADI ASOUR; SEPIDEH  KEYVANI; MALIHE  KOLAHDOUZI; MAHDI  MOHAMMADIYAN; FATEMEH  FASIH RAMANDI

doi:10.18502/ijoh.v13i4.8429

FARIDEH GOLBABAEI Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
AKBAR AHMADI ASOUR Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
SEPIDEH KEYVANI Department of Occupational Health, School of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran
MALIHE KOLAHDOUZI Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
MAHDI MOHAMMADIYAN Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
FATEMEH FASIH RAMANDI Department of Occupational Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijoh.v13i4.8429

Keywords: Exposure to heat, Heat stress, Thermal stress, WBGT index

Abstract

The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is still widely applied as a preliminary tool for evaluating heat stress. This index faces some limitations not considered yet. This systematic review was conducted aiming at highlighting some limitations for the development of the WBGT index. The present study was organized using more extensive databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scientific Information Databases (SID), Elsevier, Web of Science, Scopus, Irandoc, Magiran, and Iran Medex. The used search terms were WBGT index, Heat stress, Thermal Stress, Heat strain, Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, Hot Condition, Occupational Health, and Occupational Exposure indices. In this study, 69 articles from the years 1950 to December 2021 were assessed. The WBGT index, despite having some advantages, suffers limitations that should be considered for a more accurate estimate of thermal stress. This study was pointed to the new limitations, including the value of WBGT is not clear for persons whose working in a seated posture. The additional problem with the use of this index was that it was used for adapted people who have consumed enough water and salt, while neither water nor salt is always readily available in most hot working environments. Therefore, using this index will cause an error. Also, in heterogeneous environments, if the heat source is near the head or legs, a coefficient will not be applied to these regions. The results of the study demonstrated that, because of the limitations of the WBGT index, it is recommended that this index be used along with other indicators and physiological parameters to assess heat stress until more extensive studies would be conducted in an attempt to improve and remove its limitations.