Research progress on outdoor wet bulb globe temperature prediction models and their application to early warning for occupational heat stress
- VernacularTitle:户外湿球黑球温度预测模型构建与职业热应激预警应用研究进展
- Author:
Xiaojun ZHANG
1
;
Luyang WANG
1
;
Xin SUI
1
;
Xiaoshun WANG
1
;
Tian LAN
1
;
Yun ZHENG
1
;
Dongsheng NIU
1
;
Xiaowen DING
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords: wet bulb globe temperature; occupational heat stress; prediction model; early warning system; outdoor work
- From: Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2026;43(8):1032-1038
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
- Abstract: In the context of global warming, protecting outdoor workers from occupational heat exposure has become an important public health concern. This review summarized the principle, applicability, and limitation of three categories of wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) prediction models: empirical regression models, heat-balance models, and machine-learning models. Drawing on international experience from the United States, Europe, and Japan, this review further examined the technical challenges of applying WBGT-based prediction models to large-scale occupational heat stress early warning systems. In response to gaps in occupational heat stress management in China, WBGT should be considered a core assessment indicator to support a transition from passive response to proactive intervention. A localized implementation pathway is proposed, incorporating mechanism-based model calibration, regional parameter adaptation, and multi-source data fusion. Strengthening collaboration between public health and meteorological departments and developing platform-based flexible intervention strategies for workers in new forms of employment may improve the targeting of occupational heat stress early warning and health protection. Future research should focus on physics-constrained machine learning, refined microenvironmental prediction, and individualized risk assessment to support the development of a digitally enabled occupational heat-health protection framework.
