As we enter the summer months, the dangers of high heat are present in our everyday lives. The Metro Boston Area experiences 1.3°F warmer summer temperatures than its rural Massachusetts counterparts, and is more likely to experience 11 ‘risky heat days’ per year. Staying cool, safe, and informed on the signs of heat-related illnesses can prevent long-term negative health consequences from developing.
Stay Informed on High Heat: MAPC Extreme Heat Resources, Extreme Heat Safety Tips, Heat and your Health.
By Mia Amaral
Metropolitan areas and cities, on average, experience higher temperatures than rural regions during both the summer and winter months, due to the amount of impermeable surfaces present within the urban landscape. Impermeable surfaces, such as concrete and pavement, do not allow water to infiltrate the ground, and reduce the amount of water that can evaporate, serving as a natural cooling effect.
Impermeable surfaces, often dark colors, such as black and gray, absorb greater amounts of solar radiation, warming the surfaces of these materials and, therefore, warming the surrounding area. This predisposition to urban high heat is known as the urban heat island effect and is responsible for much of the disproportionate temperatures faced in the Boston Metro Area.
In Massachusetts, a “heat wave” is a period of three or more consecutive days above 90°F. The longer this heat wave lasts, the more dangerous it becomes to be outdoors and inside buildings without proper cooling or ventilation. Extreme heat can impact a variety of different factors, negatively impacting quality of life.
The extended use of air conditioning causes higher energy bills and strains local power sources, putting communities at an increased risk of power outages. Heat can damage infrastructure, degrading the integrity of roads, and buildings, and leading to train derailments. Additionally, intense droughts decrease accessibility to clean drinking water. Water shortages damage crop yield, leading to financial damage.
Health complications from high heat can be severe and require emergency attention. Heat-related illnesses, more mosquitoes and ticks, longer allergy seasons, mental health impacts, and worse air pollution result from higher temperatures.
Heat Vulnerability is an important factor in deciding those most sensitive to heat, and potentially negative, long-term, or short-term health complications. Health Vulnerability describes the combination of both heat sensitivity and exposure, with the person’s ability to cope. This results in the overall vulnerability of a person, and or community.
To stay cool, ensure you are hydrated, drink plenty of water, and avoid consuming both caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. If it is necessary to be outdoors, take breaks in the shade or air-conditioned places, and avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Check-in on your fellow neighbors, especially those who may be more susceptible to high heat, such as the elderly, children, pregnant people, and pets. Only use fans indoors when indoor temperatures are below 95°F, as using them above 95°F inhibits sweating, diminishing our natural cooling processes.
High Heat is an environmental justice issue as well. Historically redlined districts are on average 5°F hotter than other districts. These neighborhoods are primarily occupied by people of color, putting them at a higher risk of experiencing disproportionate high heat.
Infrastructure that is unwanted in white communities was often constructed in these redlined regions. Roads, highways, factories, pollutant sites, and parking lots were more likely to be constructed in minority neighborhoods. These developments cause historically redlined neighborhoods to experience greater amounts of air pollutants, than their white neighborhood counterparts. These pollutants are particularly harmful to children, and pregnant people.
Staying informed, cool, and vigilant during periods of high heat can ensure the health and safety of the people and communities we care about.
Extreme Heat Additional Resources for the Salem Community:
Mia Amaral is SAFE’s Summer Communications Intern.