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HEAT SAFETY: High temperatures and humidity are a dangerous combination
Too much heat can be dangerous, but when you combine it with high humidity, your body has an even harder time cooling itself off.
High humidity can have numerous adverse effects on the human body. It can contribute to feelings of low energy and lethargy.
Those living in cities can be more prone to heat-related illnesses at night than their rural counterparts because of the so-called "urban heat island" effect.
Concrete and asphalt heat up rapidly during the day and then releases heat more slowly at night, which can lead to a difference in temperatures in urban areas up to 22 degrees hotter than nearby rural areas.
Did you know that humidity usually increases during the overnight hours?
This is because as the temperature falls, air is less able to "hold" water molecules the cooler it gets. This is often why it feels more damp at night, and why dew forms during the overnight hours.
When high temperatures combined with high dew points remain elevated during the night, our bodies attempt to perspire to cool off. However, when the perspiration does not evaporate because of the high humidity, the moisture clings to your body and body temperature can rise quickly.
Despite the lack of a cooling mechanism, our bodies have the ability to give off up to two liters of sweat at night when temperatures remain above 85 degrees. Elderly people are particularly sensitive to severe dehydration because they may be unaware that they have become dehydrated. They may also be taking medications that can exacerbate the problem. Children, too, can dehydrate rapidly.
High heat, high humidity and a lack of fluids can rapidly lead to organ failure – sometimes within an hour.
Warm nighttime temperatures, especially 80 degrees or warmer, do not allow people to recover from daytime heat. When warm low temperatures are combined with high humidity, conditions can become dangerous, if not deadly, even in the middle of the night.
The human body is normally able to regulate its temperature through sweating, until it is exposed to more heat than it can handle. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can escalate rapidly, leading to delirium, organ damage and even death. In 2019, 884 people died and 2,061 were injured in the U.S. from exposure to excessive heat, according to Injury Facts.
People most at risk include: • those who work in the heat; • infants and young children, especially if left in hot cars; • people 65 and older; • people who are ill, have chronic health conditions or are on certain medications; • and people who are overweight.
If your job requires you to work outside in hot weather, you and your supervisors can take precautions to minimize the risk of heat-related illnesses. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends: • working shorter shifts until workers have adjusted to the heat; • staying hydrated and drinking before you get thirsty; • watching out for co-workers exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke; • and taking time to rest and cool down.
Knowing the symptoms and proper response to these illnesses can save a life.
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