First International Symposium on Problems with cold work at Grand Hotel Saltsjöbaden, Stockholm, Sweden on November 16-20, 1997. Organised by, National Institute for Working Life, Solna, Sweden in co-operation with National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Cincinnati, USA; National Institute of Occupational Health, Moscow, Russia; National Institute of Public Health, Tokyo, Japan, under the auspices of International Labour Organisation, International Commission on Occupational Health, International Union of Circumpolar Health. In many countries the cold season of the year comprises climatic conditions well below normal indoor temperatures. Throughout the world the processing and storage of alimentary products require low temperatures, usually at 2 to 10 ¡C for fresh food and below -25 ¡C for frozen food. Cold is a hazard to health and represents a risk of getting cold injuries. Cold interferes with work and may impair performance and productivity. The long-term effects of years of exposure to cold as well as the health effects of living and working in cold climates are not readily understood. The symposium dealt with the problems encountered by people exposed to cold either naturally or in artificial environments. The symposium was the result of work of many persons. The international program committee and the national organising committee are acknowledged for their contributions, suggestions and work. Financial support has been given by the National Institute for Working Life, the Council for Work Life Research, the National Board of Health and Welfare, Taiga AB, Triconor and Arbesko. International programme committee: Ingvar Holmér, Sweden, Rallema Afanasieva, Russia, George Conway, USA, Barbara Griefahn, Germany, Murray Hamlet, USA, Juhani Hassi, Finland, George Havenith, Netherlands, Bengt W Johansson, Sweden, Desmond Lugg, Australia, Ruth Nielsen, Denmark, Ken Parsons, United Kingdom, Arvid Påsche, Norway, Peter Tikuisis, Canada, Yutaka Tochihara, Japan National organising committee: Ingvar Holmér, John Abeysekera, Ulf Bergh, Ulf Björnstig, Christina Ekeberg, Staffan Gyllerup, Anders Kjellberg, Hans Lundgren, Ronnie Lundström. Representing: National Institute for Working Life, Defence Research Establishment, ColdTech, Technical University of Luleå, University of Umeå
