Water Consumption and Incidence of Dehydration on Workers Exposed to Heat Stress (Study in Tofu Industry Worker’s in Semarang Indonesia)

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume IX, Issue IV, April 2022 | ISSN 2321–2705

Water Consumption and Incidence of Dehydration on Workers Exposed to Heat Stress (Study in Tofu Industry Worker’s in Semarang Indonesia)

Ulfa Nurullita^1*, Sinta Dwi Surya P², Mugram Rasyid Samual³, Didik Sumanto⁴

¹Department of Environment of Health, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Indonesia

² Student of Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Indonesia

³ Laboratory of Environment of Health, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Indonesia

⁴ Department of Epidemiology, Universitas Muhammadiyah Semarang, Indonesia

*Corresponding author

Abstract:
Background: Heat stress exposure in the workplace that occurs continuously will affect the increment of fluid expenditure through sweat and if it is not accompanied by adequate fluid intake, it will cause dehydration. One of the workplaces that have a physical hazard in the form of heat stress is the tofu industry. Preliminary measurement results for all locations are above the threshold value limit.
Method: This descriptive study uses a cross-sectional approach, the sample is 31 workers in the tofu industry, Jomblang Village, Semarang Indonesia. The variables analyzed were the amount of drinking water consumption, the habit of drinking diuretic drinks, and the incidence of dehydration. Research instruments are questionnaires, beaker glass, urinometers, and cameras. Data analysis was carried out univariately.
Results: Heat stress averages 33.01°C, most workers are >40 years old (67,7%), 83.9% are male, water consumption (freshwater) averages 2,1 liter for 24 hours, and 87.1% have less water intake. 87.1% of workers have a drinking diuretic habit both at work and at home, with the most types consumed are tea and coffee. The urine specific gravity averages 1.016, a minimum of 1.009, and a maximum of 1.026 of which 58.1% is unhydrated.
Conclusion: Lack of drinking water consumption to replace body fluids lost through sweat due to heat stress will increase the specific gravity of urine. The specific gravity of urine can be an early marker of kidney problems.
Keywords: Water consumption, dehydration, USG, heat-stress

I.INTRODUCTION

Heat stress is found in many industrial and commercial jobs both indoors and outdoors. For countries with a hot climate, such as Indonesia, heat stress is a problem that is often encountered in various sectors. Work-related to heat sources requires a lot of energy, and the use of waterproof clothing presents a high potential risk to the workers.(1)
Heat in the workplace that comes from the production process will spread throughout the work environment. This causes the air temperature and humidity in the work environment increase at the same time. One of the workplaces that has a source of danger in the form of a hot working climate is the tofu-making industry. One of the tofu industry centers is on JalanTandang Raya, Jomblang Village, Candi Sari District, Semarang.
Heat stress puts physiological stress on workers which has an impact on the emergence of diseases and health problems, work accidents, absenteeism from work, decreased productivity, and chronic kidney disorders (2-7).Exposure to

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