rising temperatures effects : Methods to keep away from heat and direct sunlight-related diseases and deaths

rising temperatures effects: Methods to keep away from heat and direct sunlight-related diseases and deaths

In Boston, we believe warmer is better. Our need for warmth arises on the cold, dark winter nights when the prospect of summer seems incredibly remote. But with July temperatures close to 100 ° F, our winter dreams turn into a summer nightmare. Dangerous heat exposures are not felt equally in Boston and other cities in the United States. Urban areas with fewer green spaces and more pavement can be up to 15 degrees hotter than other, greener areas. These urban heat islands are much more likely to be poor minority neighborhoods, and their origins can be traced straight back to redlining that began in the 1930s.rising temperatures effects: Methods to keep away from heat and direct sunlight-related diseases and deaths

This summer, the diverse heat risk these communities face has compounded the oversized damage that COVID-19 has already wreaked them. The good news is that we can take steps to protect our most vulnerable urban neighbors and ourselves from COVID-19 and extreme heat.

rising temperatures effects: Methods to keep away from heat and direct sunlight-related diseases and deaths

What is heat-related illness?

Our ability to cool off has limits. When the heat is too intense, our bodies overheat. When that happens, we can get headaches and muscle spasms and vomit. Excessive overheating, when body temperature reaches 104 ° F or higher, can result in heat stroke that can damage the kidneys, brain, and muscles.

Even for healthy people, heat can be dangerous and cause heat-related illnesses. Outdoor workers, athletes (especially soccer players and young athletes), and pregnant women should be especially careful when it is hot outside.

Who is at higher risk from high temperatures?

Heat can be a risk for healthy people, but it is especially risky for people with existing health problems. It can even be fatal. Decades of research show that people die during heat waves and that these deaths do not occur in people who would likely die soon anyway.

Many of us probably know someone who is at greater risk from too much heat. The elderly – especially those with heart failure, kidney disease, and chronic lung disease – and the homeless are at high risk when temperatures rise. Less well known are the others who need to be vigilant in extreme heat, including parents of children with asthma and people with diabetes. Anyone taking medications, such as diuretics, which can affect their body’s ability to sweat or hold on to water, may also be more vulnerable.

 

How can you protect yourself and others from heat waves?

More than half of the people in the US may have received a warning during our recent heat wave. However, research into these mass alerts shows that they may not be as effective as we’d like them to be. And now, with COVID-19, many people are understandably less interested in going to cooling centers, which are often a mainstay of heatwave response plans. This makes it all the more important to take measures. You can protect yourself and others by following these steps:

  • Think about whether your health or the health of your neighbors or loved ones is at risk from heat. If so, make sure everyone – including you – understands how to be safe during heat waves.
  • Check out your neighbors and friends. Call or text first and knock on a door if you have to. You can do this while wearing a mask and practicing physical distance.
  • Sign up for heat warnings. Many city councils have a website where you can sign up to receive text messages alerting you of dangerous heat conditions. Free services like iAlert can also send you notifications. Note, however, that the alarm can go off at temperatures above the known health hazard.
  • Find out where the cooling centers are in your city and if they are still open during the pandemic. Many may be implementing new social distancing guidelines or limiting their capacity. Tell others who may be at risk. During the heat waves, many cities offer free transportation to these centers. Many cities have websites where you can find the closest refrigeration center. Or a city-wide number that you can call or send a text message, e.g. B. 311 for the city of Boston, can connect you to many different services like these.
  • Drink plenty of water during heat waves. Avoid too much caffeine and alcohol as this can promote dehydration.
  • Cover the windows with curtains, screens, paper, or other materials that will keep the sun from shining in.
  • Eat food that can be served cold so you don’t have to use your oven or stove.
  • When the temperature drops below 70 ° C, which is the case in many places early in the morning and in the evening after sunset, open the windows and use a fan to circulate the air.

rising temperatures effects: Methods to keep away from heat and direct sunlight-related diseases and deaths

What other steps can you take?

It is right to focus our immediate actions on protecting the most vulnerable. But we must also look at the recent heat waves as a sign of the future. We know that climate change has already resulted in more severe heat waves in the United States. Curbing carbon pollution through these and other measures can help prevent more frequent and dangerous heat waves.

We can make our cities greener. The temperature difference between the hottest and coolest parts of cities can be 20 ° F or more because the urban landscape absorbs so much heat. Planting trees and other plants can make a big difference in reducing heat in cities. Green spaces not only keep us cool, but also healthy. Trees remove air pollutants that can further harm people at risk from heat. Vegetation prevents water from running off. In Boston, the runoff of heavy spring rains last year resulted in pollution in the Charles River, forcing all summer swimming events to be canceled. Climate change has resulted in heavy downpours in New England and across the country. Trees can help make our cities more resilient to climate change.

We can work to reduce traffic congestion. This is a growing problem in cities across the country, although the pandemic has restricted commuting in many places. Whenever possible, use public transport or car pooling to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. When buying a car, keep in mind that greater fuel efficiency will reduce carbon footprint and other pollutants that damage the lungs, heart and brain, and lower monthly costs. Improvements to make public transportation accessible, affordable, and reliable help everyone. Find out what’s going on in your community on transit, bike lanes, and pedestrian walkways. Advocate this by speaking out at community meetings (many of which have gone online) and voting for improvement through local and state referendums.

We can save energy at home. When renewing your roof, consider a green roof, or at least choose a light-colored roofing material. Many cities and states offer free household energy audits and incentives to improve the insulation of a home and replace old appliances with newer, more energy-efficient models.

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