Extreme heat is killing American workers

Plus more health news | Email not displaying correctly? [View it in your browser.]( [Health Matters]( [Extreme heat is endangering America's workers—and its economy]( By Aryn Baker Senior Correspondent One of the most inescapable signs of climate change is the spate of record-breaking heat waves that baked our planet this summer, drying out essential crops, contributing to forest fires, and overburdening emergency rooms with patient numbers not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic. Approximately 80% of humanity suffered through unusually hot temperatures this July—heat waves that were directly attributable to rising greenhouse gas emissions. Outdoor workers are bearing the brunt. No matter how hot it gets, garbage still has to be collected, packages delivered, houses roofed, roads constructed, electricity grids expanded, and produce plucked for grocery store shelves. Working with local reporters from Georgia Public Broadcasting, I met with farmers, agricultural laborers, delivery drivers, construction workers, and garbage collectors throughout July. We used sweat-sampling technology from Epicore Biosystems to monitor things like skin temperature and water loss, to understand how taxing physical labor in high-heat situations can be. We expected extremes, still, our findings were surprising: - The solid waste worker lost the equivalent of 35 20-oz bottles of Gatorade in sweat over the course of his 10-hour day. But because he made a point to regularly rehydrate with water and sports drinks, and took regular cool down breaks, he never suffered any symptoms of heat stress, like dizziness or headaches. - Farmworkers and maintenance crews showed lower fluid loss, but rarely took the time to cool down and rehydrate. They were more likely to complain about heat stress symptoms. - One delivery driver swore by pickle juice as a rehydration pick-me-up; farm workers gravitated towards Pedialyte, usually prescribed for children suffering dehydration from diarrhea. Pedialyte I can pick up in my local pharmacy. I have yet to find bottled pickle juice—if anyone knows where I can get some, let me know. I’m eager to try it for myself. [READ MORE]( Share This Story What Else to Read [What to Do If You Catch COVID-19 This Summer]( By Jamie Ducharme Now that the COVID-19 public health emergency is over, here's what to do if you test positive for COVID-19 in the summer of 2023. [Read More »]( [7 Ways to Bring a Dead Friendship Back to Life]( By Angela Haupt Positivity, consistency, and vulnerability play a key role. [Read More »]( [Infants Should Get RSV Vaccine, CDC Says]( By CARLA K. JOHNSON / AP U.S. health officials recommend that babies should get the recently approved RSV vaccine this fall. [Read More »]( [How Sunscreen Became Controversial—and Why You Should Still Wear It]( By Jamie Ducharme Why you should still wear it despite rising concerns over the chemicals in many popular brands. [Read More »]( [Need a Break Now? Try Treating Your Weekend Like a Vacation]( By Angela Haupt and Video by Andrew. D Johnson Experts share ways to achieve a vacation mindset at home. [Read More »]( ONE LAST READ An expert's thoughts "The term ‘warm empathy’ means we feel physiologically aroused by somebody else's pain. Narcissists have ‘cold empathy,’ which means they can read others well and know exactly what they’re thinking and feeling, but they’re not physiologically impacted." —Avigail Lev, a licensed clinical psychologist in California If you were forwarded this and want to sign up to receive it daily, [click here](. Today's newsletter was written by Aryn Baker and Angela Haupt, and edited by Elijah Wolfson. [Want more from TIME? Sign up for our other newsletters.]( [Subscribe to TIME]( TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Connect with TIME via [Facebook]( | [Twitter]( | [Newsletters]( [UNSUBSCRIBE]( [PRIVACY POLICY]( [YOUR CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS]( TIME Customer Service, P.O. Box 37508, Boone, IA 50037-0508 Questions? Contact health@time.com Copyright © 2023 TIME USA, LLC. All rights reserved.