JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
It's summer again in the National Capital Region and there is plenty of outdoor work to do and fun to be had. However, before you go outdoors, it is important to understand the potential health hazards presented by the hot and humid conditions common here in the summer months. Thermal stress brought on by warm weather can pose a significant risk. In fact, approximately 200 people die each year in America from heat-related illnesses and many more experience lesser symptoms. Luckily, there are some very simple ways to avoid becoming a casualty.
When you're outdoors in hot and humid weather, your body can become stressed when it absorbs the sun's heat and raises your body's core temperature. It also becomes more difficult for your body to cool off and regulate a normal temperature. When doing physical labor or exercising outside, you will be generating even more heat, which could raise your body's temperature to dangerous levels and cause heat illness. The symptoms of heat illness can include one or more of the following:
- Faintness
- Leg or stomach cramps
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Excessive sweating
- Confusion
- Lack of coordination
- Convulsions
Quick action is necessary if any of these symptoms occur. Move to a cool area, rest, sip cool water and massage cramped muscles if needed. Seek immediate medical care if nausea, vomiting or other more serious symptoms occur.
Everyone should stay well hydrated by drinking water and sports drinks throughout the day, even before you get thirsty. When possible, dress for conditions by wearing lightweight materials that allow airflow around your body and brighter colors to reflect radiant heat from the sun. Heavy clothing will reduce your tolerance to heat.
Excess activity in extreme heat can lead to various heat-related illnesses and can be impacted by certain risk factors. Risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing heat-related problems include: preexisting heart or thyroid disease, diabetes or a previous history of a heat-related illness. The effects of heat stress include:
- Rash: Common in warm, moist conditions and is due to inflammation on sweat glands plugged by swelling skin.
- Cramps: Painful spasm of muscles due to profuse sweating and inadequate replacement of fluids and electrolytes. Heat cramps are alleviated by drinking water and electrolyte-containing fluids.
- Exhaustion: Results from sustained exertion in hot conditions combined with dehydration from deficient water intake. Heat exhaustion symptoms: include fatigue, headache, dizziness and clammy, moist skin.
- Stroke: This is a medical emergency resulting from the body being unable to cool. It includes lack of sweating with dry/hot skin, mental confusion, seizures, coma and if untreated, death.
On Joint Base Andrews heat stress conditions are monitored by the 779th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight using the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature index. This measurement takes into consideration not only the ambient temperature, but also the relative humidity, and solar load. This method is the most accurate and practical way to evaluate the potential threat of heath related illness.
The Bioenvironmental Engineering Flight monitors the WBGT every two hours during the duty day and works in conjunction with base operations to issue heat advisories via computer alert updates. These advisories are based on a colored flag system, each with corresponding recommendations for work/rest cycles and water intake for exposed workers as outlined by the tables below. Rest breaks should be taken in a cool, shaded area, using that time to sit and relax. A supervisor with knowledge of the workload will determine the recommended work/rest cycle using these tables.
Learning and understanding basic facts about heat stress will go a long way in protecting yourself from heat-related injury or illness. It's important to remember that individuals new to the climate of this region will take as long as two weeks to become acclimatized. During this adjustment period, extra care should be taken to avoid overheating by adhering to the unacclimatized heat stress table's recommendations.
Using common sense will go a long way in beating the heat whether you're working or enjoying outdoor recreational activities. Learning the signs of heat illness and taking proper precautions will help prevent you from becoming another heat injury or illness statistic. For more information call (240) 857 - 3380.