Dehydrated at Work? Don’t Sweat it!

By Evelyn Witterholt. 

By using the Connected Hydration device from Epicore Biosystems, construction workers can monitor their hydration in real time. 

With summer coming soon, construction workers will be bracing themselves to deal with safety concerns that come with rising temperatures. Although it is common knowledge that hydration is key to preventing heat-related illnesses, monitoring your hydration needs isn’t as easy as it seems. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), workers shouldn’t rely on their own thirst levels to determine when they need water. Rather, they advise that you be reminded to drink water on a regular basis. 

That’s where Connected Hydration comes in. This device from Epicore Biosystems allows businesses to track construction workers’ sweat levels in real time to determine their hydration needs. It is a simple device that can be used in even the most hazardous conditions as it is made of a static- and impact-resistant plastic.  

The device is used along with an app to track users’ hydration and sweat levels. It has a microfluidic substrate that captures sweat and allows sensors within the device to measure various data points throughout the day. It then inputs that data into the app which helps the user determine the best way for them to rehydrate and avoid heat injury. 

When wearing the device and using the tracking app, workers can monitor many factors that help determine their hydration needs, including electrolyte loss, body movement, sweat volume loss and body movement. These values are also determined by their own physiology and hydration alerts are updated continuously throughout the day. It can even notify workers of potential heat injuries if they have exceeded the recommended level of sweat loss. 

Epicore Biosystems has been working hard since 2017 to create hydration solutions through sweat monitoring technology. They have partnered with research hospitals and the Department of Defense to improve their products to make them effective, easy-to-use and low-cost. They encourage those interested in their products to contact them to learn more. 

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Photo credit: Epicore Biosystems