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Amid record heat, even indoor factory workers enter dangerous terrain

Summary

Rising temperatures driven by human-induced climate change are posing significant health risks to indoor factory workers in Southeast Asia's manufacturing hubs. Even though these workers are not exposed to the direct heat of the sun, poorly ventilated factories with high temperatures and humidity are making their working conditions unbearable. Experts suggest that this aspect of extreme heat is often overlooked. The impact of extreme heat on indoor workers is not well-studied in many tropical countries, including Thailand. The climate is already hot and humid in these regions, making every incremental rise in temperature more dangerous. Workers resort to measures like using wet towels and smelling salts to cope with the heat, but there's a lack of comprehensive research and regulations addressing this issue.

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