WBGT readings ranged from 77.5ºF to 83.9ºF in the checked baggage screening area. When compared to
the NIOSH and American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) screening
criteria, the results indicate that the screeners were exposed to excessive heat stress conditions during the
evaluation.
Twenty-three participants were monitored for physiological signs of heat stress during their work shifts.
All employees were considered acclimatized to their work environment during the evaluation. Eight
participants (35%) showed signs of heat strain. One of the screener’s CBT exceeded the ACGIH criterion
of 101.3ºF for acclimatized workers. There were 10 instances of screeners’ HRs exceeding the ACGIH
criterion of 180 minus their age. In addition, three of the screeners had average HRs that approached or
exceeded 115 beats per minute (bpm) during the shifts they were monitored. None of the screeners had a
body weight loss of more than the ACGIH criterion of 1.5%.