As a heat warning continues across the Niagara Region, a Brock University researcher is looking at how this can impact some jobs.
Canada Research Chair Dr. Toby Mundel says when it comes to jobs like firefighters and military personnel, their heat during hot weather may be much higher.
As part of his research at Brock, Dr. Mundel has temperature censors to monitor how the human body reacts to extreme heat for workers in already-hot environments.
Dr. Mundel says typically, the human body handles heat quite well.
Supporting Mündel’s research is a $205,000 grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation’s John R. Evans Leaders Fund.
During his seven-year term as Canada Research Chair, which started last year, Mündel’s research will focus on the role estrogen and progesterone play in regulating the body’s temperature; how fasting affects thermoregulation; and ways to detect heat strain early and protect the body against extreme heat.
Mündel also plans to team up with fellow Brock Canada Research Chair Newman Sze to examine molecular biomarkers in blood to determine who might be at greater risk of heat stroke or other vulnerabilities to the heat.
(Written by: Matt Latour)