Houston heat wave danger starts sooner than you think, new study warns

HOUSTON – We’re in Houston and warm weather is expected, but a new study says temperatures can become dangerous at lower temperatures than previously thought.

Researchers at Penn State University just completed a new study and found that humans can suffer serious heat-related illnesses, like heatstroke, well before 100 degrees.

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For example, take a look at the FOX 26 Weather app, and it shows a temperature of 87 degrees right now, but the “feel” or what the Penn State study calls the “wet bulb” temperature, in taking into account the current temperature. humidity, is 94 degrees.

According to the Penn State study, a temperature of 95 degrees and humidity of 100 percent were previously thought to be dangerous. But the new findings show that the maximum temperature without relief before it becomes dangerous for humans is as low as 87 degrees and 100% humidity.

A number of Houston residents don’t run their air conditioning in an attempt to keep their electric bill low, including Carolyn Webster, 78, who is a widow. In Ms. Carolyn’s house, it’s currently nearly 87 degrees and summer hasn’t even started.

“It’s 84. (84 degrees inside your house?) Yes. (Are you feeling uncomfortable?) I feel uncomfortable but I fell asleep. I survived the cancer, so I try to stay safe, but I only run my air conditioning maybe from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., I have to keep my electricity bill low,” says Ms. Webster.

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“In Houston, it becomes very dangerous if you’re not able to really cool the interior and just pulling air in from the outside isn’t necessarily going to cool it enough, and as we’re on the coast, “We are quite humid and that also played into the study. Looking at humid temperatures, which implies high humidity, which is certainly what we have here,” says Dr. Joshua Feinstein, Memorial Herman emergency room.

“(Does it worry you when you start getting really hot?) Sure, I’m a little dizzy, plus I’ve been sick,” Webster added.

“If you’re feeling a little weak, a little dizzy, you can always get up and stand up, then go somewhere cool, make sure you’re hydrated. Ask a friend to watch over you, go somewhere If after 15 or 20 minutes your condition does not improve at all, you should consult a doctor,” Feinstein said.

So, what happens when your body experiences heatstroke?

“What happens is it doesn’t work effectively, but for all intents and purposes it’s a stroke. Permanent changes occur in the body. Parts of the brain can die in a stroke stroke, there’s no doubt about it (Temperatures can rise pretty quickly when the air conditioning isn’t on in a home or vehicle. I’m in a car talking to you and my upper lip is starting to sweat. I turned off the air conditioning when we started, and it was It’s about 70 degrees then Now it’s over 80 degrees inside the car So can you tell us how fast it can. happen?) As you see, even if it’s in the shade, if it’s hot, a car can easily get up to 120 degrees in a very short time, once in the sun, 140 or 150 degrees at. interior of the car are not uncommon,” Feinstein said.