Keeping Cool This Summer

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Keeping Cool This Summer!

• Presented by
• Jennifer Esmond and Edna Poulin
• Rhode Island Department of Health

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Heat-Related Terms

• Heat wave - more than 48 hours of high heat (90F
  or higher) and high humidity (80 percent relative
  humidity or higher) are expected
• Heat Index - a number in degrees Fahrenheit that
  tells how hot it really feels with the heat and
  humidity
• Heat Index chart - chart developed by the NWS to
  predict the heat index

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What is Ozone?

• A colorless gas that can be found throughout the
  Earths atmosphere
• Exists naturally in the upper atmosphere to
  shield the Earth from the suns ultra-violet rays
• At the ground level, ozone is formed from
  emissions from factories, businesses, consumer
  products, and vehichles

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Depletion of the Ozone Layer

• Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) such as refrigerants,
  solvents are released into the Earths atmosphere
• CFCs rise into the ozone layer and the ultra
  violets release chlorine from the CFCs
• The chlorine destroys the ozone and more UV rays
  from the sun are projected on earth

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Effects from Ozone Depletion

• Higher levels of ultra-violet radiation will
  reach the Earths surface
• Less ozone Less protection from the sun
• increase rates of nonmelanoma skin cancer and
  malignant melanoma development
• may cause cataracts
• Increase in the amount of UVBs will increase the
  risk of health effects

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RI Ozone Alert Days

• Occur when ozone levels are likely to be
  unhealthy
• The program is sponsored by the RI Department of
  Environmental Management, the RI Department of
  Transportation, and RI Public Transit Authority
• Also encourages driving changes and changes in
  household maintenance.

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Air Quality Index Health Values
GOOD 0-50 MODERATE
51-100 UNHEALTHY
101-150 UNHEALTHY 151-200 VERY
UNHEALTHY 201-300
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Ozone Alert Days Ratings

• Five different ratings
• Good no adverse health effects and precautions
  need to be taken (GREEN)
• Moderate ozone levels may cause respiratory
  problems while engaged in outdoor activities
  people with respiratory disease should refrain
  from strenuous activity (YELLOW)

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Ozone Alert Days Ratings

• Unhealthy severity of the health effects and
  number of people affected increase everyone
  should avoid strenuous outdoor activities during
  the afternoon (ORANGE and RED)
• Very Unhealthy everyone should avoid being
  outdoors (PURPLE)
• To find out the daily ozone reading for your
  area, call the RI Department of Environmental
  Management at 1-401-222-2808

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How you can help?

• Take public transportation on Ozone Alert Days
• RI Public Transportation Authority offers free
  rides on all of its bus routes, excluding its
  special services
• Drive smart
• Limit the uses of solvent-based household
  products
• Avoid using charcoal lighter fluid

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Extreme Heat Statistics

• 8,015 people have died from excessive heat in the
  U.S. between 1979 and 1999
• More than the number people who have died from
  hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods, and
  earthquakes combined
• Most of these deaths have occurred during the
  summer months

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The Bodys Response to Heat

• The body normally cools itself by sweating
• During hot weather several factors can affect the
  bodys response
• high humidity sweat will not evaporate as
  quickly, preventing the body from quickly
  releasing heat
• other factors age, obesity, fever, dehydration,
  heart disease, poor circulation, sunburn, alcohol
  use
• Could result in a heat-related illness

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Heat-Related Health Problems

• Two most common problems are heat stroke and heat
  exhaustion
• Other health problems may include
• heat cramps
• sunburn
• heat rash

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Heat Exhaustion

• It is the bodys response to excessive loss of
  water and salt contained in sweat
• Elderly people, people with high blood pressure,
  and people working or exercising in a hot
  environment are more prone to heat exhaustion

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Recognizing Heat Exhaustion

• Warning signs of heat exhaustion
• heavy sweating - weakness
• paleness - dizziness
• muscle cramps - headache
• tiredness - nausea/vomiting
• fainting
• The skin may be cool and moist, pulse rate will
  be fast and weak, and breathing will be fast and
  shallow

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Treating Heat Exhaustion

• Cooling measures for the patient
• cool, non-alcoholic beverages, as directed by a
  physican
• rest
• cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
• an air-conditioned environment
• lightweight clothing
• If symptoms worsen or last longer than one hour,
  seek immediate medical attention

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Heat Stroke

• Occurs when the body becomes unable to control
  its temperature
• The bodys temperature rises rapidly, the
  sweating mechanisms fail, and the body is unable
  to cool down
• The bodys temperature may rise to 106F or
  higher with 10-15 minutes
• Can cause death or permanent disability if
  emergency treatment is not given

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Recognizing Heat Stroke

• Warning signs may include
• an extremely high body temperature
• red, hot and dry skin (no sweating)
• rapid, strong pulse
• throbbing headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• confusion
• unconsciousness

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Treating Heat Stroke

• Call for immediate medical assistance
• Get the person to a shady area
• Cool the person off rapidly using whatever
  methods you can ( i.e. Immersing them in a tub of
  cool water)
• Monitor the body temperature and continue cooling
  efforts until the temperature drops to 101-102F
• Do not give the person alcohol to drink

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Treating Heat Stroke

• As a result of heat stroke, the persons muscles
  will begin to twitch uncontrollably
• Keep the victim from injuring themselves, do not
  place any objects in their mouth and do not give
  fluids
• If there is vomiting, keep the airway open by
  turning the victim on their side

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Heat Cramps

• Usually affect people who sweat a lot during
  strenuous activity
• sweating depletes the bodys salt and moisture
• low salt levels cause painful cramps
• They are muscle pains or spasms in the abdomen,
  arms, or legs that occur in association with
  strenuous activity
• If you have a heart problem or on a low-salt diet
  - seek medical attention

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Treating Heat Cramps

• Stop all activity and sit quietly in a cool place
• Drink clear juice or sports beverage
• Do not return to strenuous activity for a few
  hours after the cramps subside
• further exertion may lead to heat exhaustion or
  heat stroke
• Seek medical attention for heat cramps if they do
  not subside in one hour

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Sunburns

• Should be avoided because it damages the skin
• Common symptoms are skin becomes red, painful and
  abnormally warm after sun exposure
• The discomfort is usually minor and heals in
  about a week
• Severe sunburns may require medical attention

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Treating a Sunburn

• Avoid repeated sun exposure
• Apply cold compressed or immerse the sunburned
  area in cool water
• Apply moisturizing lotion to affect area
• DO NOT use salve, butter, or ointment
• Do not break blisters

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Heat Rash

• A skin irritation caused by excessive sweating
  during hot, humid weather
• Looks like a red cluster of pimples or small
  blisters
• More likely to occur on the neck and upper chest,
  in the groin, under the breasts, and in the elbow
  creases
• Can occur at any age, but is most common in young
  children

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Treating Heat Rash

• Best treatment provide a cooler, less humid
  environment
• Keep the affected area dry
• Dusting powder may be used to increase comfort,
  but avoid using ointments or creams
• they keep the skin warm and moist and may make
  the condition worse
• Treatment is simple

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Why are the Elderly More Vulnerable?

• Patients with cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
  and arteriosclerosis are at risk due to limited
  cardiovascular adjustment needed during exposure
  to heat stress
• Many medications reduce cardiovascular
  functioning
• Peripheral vascular disease interferes with
  cutaneous vasodilation

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Vulnerability cont..

• There is a marked reduction in sweating activity
  and decreased sweat production
• Thirst is reduced in the elderly and response to
  dehydration is limited
• There is probably a sensory afferent
  deterioration in the elderly population

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Ways to Keep Cool

• Dress for the Heat
• Drink Water
• Eat small meals and eat more often
• Avoid using salt tablets

• Slow Down
• Stay indoors when possible
• Take regular breaks

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Drinking Water

• Increase your fluid intake
• Drink 2-4 glasses of cool fluids each hour
• Avoid very cold drinks
• Avoid alcoholic and caffinated beverages
• Alcohol and caffeine dehydrate the body
• Drink more than your thirst indicates
• True in the elderly population because often they
  have a decreased ability of respond to external
  temperature changes

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Eating

• Avoid foods that are high in protein - they
  increase metabolic heat
• Eat small meals and eat more often
• Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler
  temperature in the home
• have sandwiches, salads, or microwave meals
  instead of a big lunch or dinner

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Salts and Minerals

• Replace minerals lost through heavy sweating by
  drinking fruit juice or a sports beverage
• DO NOT take salt tablets unless directed by your
  doctor
• If you are on a low-salt diet, consult your
  physician before you change what you eat and drink

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Dress for the Heat

• Wear light-weighted, light colored clothing
• Light colors help reflect the suns energy, while
  dark colors absorb the energy
• Wear a hat or use an umbrella to protect your
  head and face from the sun
• When you are at home, wear as little as clothing
  as possible to keep help you keep cool.

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Slow Down

• Avoid any strenuous activities
• If you must do any strenuous activities, do them
  during the coolest part of the day (between
  400am and 700am)
• Rest frequently in a shady area if you are
  outdoors-gives your bodys thermostat time to
  recover

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Stay Indoors

• Find alternative activities to do that are inside
  air-conditioned buildings
• Do not rely on an electric fan as your primary
  cooling device
• they increase comfort levels in the home, but do
  not prevent heat-related illnesses
• Go to the movies, walk around a local mall, go to
  a local community center or public library

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Use a Buddy System

• Monitor the condition of your friends and/or
  co-workers when working in the heat
• Have a relative or friend check on you twice a
  day during a heat wave
• If you know someone who is elderly, check on them
  twice a day
• Heat-induced illnesses can cause confusion and
  lost of consciousness in a person

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Conclusion

• Dress in light colored, lightweight clothing
• Drink lots of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated
  beverages
• Keep cool in air-conditioned facilities
• Do not participate in strenuous activities during
  the afternoon
• At the first sign of a heat-related illness, stop
  all activity, cool down, and provide proper
  treatment

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Reference Sources

• American Red Cross
• http//www.redcross.org/services/hss/tips/heat
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
• http//www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/extremeheat.htm
• http//wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/p0000449/
  p0000449.asp
• Environmental Protection Agency
• www.epa.gov/ozone/science.html
• National Weather Service
• http//weather.noaa.gov/weather/hwave.html

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Reference Source

• Rhode Island Department of Environmental
  Management
• http//www.state.ri.us/dem/programs/benviron/air/
  ozone/htm
• Rhode Island Department of Health
• http//www.healthri.org/elderheat.htm
• Rhode Island Public Transit Authority
• http//www.ripta.com