Agency warns farmers about risks of hot weatherBy Chiu Chih-juo / Staff reporterHumid hot weather in summer has led health officials to issue a warning for farmers, stressing four points: “shielding sunlight, hydration, rest and being alert.”Taiwan has about 1 million farmers, whose average age is older than other workers and their bodies are less capable of cooling off, Health Promotion Administration (HPA) officials said. Currently Taiwan has experienced a rise in temperature by 1.6°C compared with 2021, while with the seasonal change summers became longer from 120 to 150 days on average, Central Weather Bureau (CWB) said. Health Promotion Administration officials and guests hold placards at a news conference in Taipei on July 20 publicizing heat-risk prevention measures for farmers. Studies at Academia Sinica indicated the correlation of the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index with cases of heat exhaustion, the HPA said. “My tiller, plow and rice harvester all have air-conditioner added, and when operating the rice transplanter, I cover up its top with canvas to shield myself from the sunlight and to avoid heat-related injuries,” he said.
