Stay Safe This Summer
- AUGUST 2006
- Français
Those hazy, humid days of summer are upon us, and enjoying the great outdoors appeals to young and old alike. To be sure your summer activities are enjoyable, with no negative health effects, be sure to follow some basic precautions.
Sun Safety (Courtesy of Niagara Region Public Health)
Although exposure to small amounts of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can have beneficial effects, such as vitamin D production, there are significant health risks associated with overexposure to UVR. Sun burn is the immediate result of too much exposure to UVR. Over a period of years, UVR causes eye damage, premature aging of the skin, damage to the immune system as well as increasing the risk for skin cancer.
From April to September, especially, protect your skin from the sun's UVR by following sun safety guidelines.
- Check Environment Canada's UV Index daily as a guide to required actions
- Reduce sun exposure from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Seek shade or make your own
- Wear protective clothing including a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt and pants and UVA/UVB protective sunglasses
- Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or more to any skin still exposed
- Do not use sunscreen on babies less than six months old. Keep babies out of the sun completely.
The World Health Organization reports that with a sustained 10% decrease in stratospheric ozone, an additional 300,000 non-melanoma and 4,500 melanoma skin cancers could be expected world-wide. Currently, one in five North Americans will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.
Children require special protection as they are at a higher risk of suffering damage from exposure to UV radiation than adults, in particular:
- A child's skin is thinner and more sensitive and even a short time outdoors in the midday sun can result in serious burns.
- Epidemiological studies show that frequent sun exposure and sunburn in childhood set the stage for high rates of melanoma later in life.
- Children have more time to develop diseases with long latency, more years of life to be lost and more suffering to be endured as a result of impaired health. Increased life expectancy further adds to people's risk of developing skin cancers and cataracts.
- Children are more exposed to the sun. Estimates suggest that up to 80 per cent of a person's lifetime exposure to UV is received before the age of 18.
Heat Injury and Dehydration
Whether you're working in construction or playing soccer on the pitch, heat injury and dehydration are serious considerations when the weather is hot and humid. On average, adults lose about 800 ml of water daily through normal breathing and perspiration. The kidneys are responsible for the balance of fluid elimination through urination. "With physical activity, the body loses even more fluid through perspiration," says Niagara Health System Nurse Practitioner Scott Gibson, who co-ordinates the volunteer first aid/medical services at the annual Henley Regatta. "When we sweat our body loses salt and fluid, which needs to be replaced."
Drinking water helps replenish fluids, but drinks such as Powerade, Gatorade or simply eating a banana along with drinking water can replace the fluid, potassium and sodium that your body needs. The body loses even more fluid through sweating in hotter weather, so it is essential to closely watch fluid intake in the summer. "Feeling thirsty is actually a late sign of dehydration, so it is important to replace fluids before you feel thirsty," Scott says. Alcohol and caffeine should be avoided since these can increase dehydration.
Heat injury is a condition that occurs when the body gets so hot that it starts to lose the ability to cool itself down. "Dehydration and heat injury don't show symptoms until well after the condition has started, so prevention is really the key to staying healthy," Scott says. Symptoms for heat injury are muscle cramping, fatigue, and thirst. A life-threatening form of heat injury is heat stroke, which can show the following signs and symptoms – a rise in body temperature, hot dry skin, a lack of sweating, disorientation or confusion, slurred speech, and a lack of physical co-ordination. Since heat stroke is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency, when these symptoms occur urgent medical attention is required by calling 911.
How to play and work safe in the heat? "Drink lots of cool fluids, take frequent rests in the shade, avoid strenuous activities during the strongest heat of the day, and eat sensibly," Scott says. "Heat stroke can be quite serious and can cause brain damage and sometimes death, so taking a few precautions is always wise."
Breath Easy
Airborne plant material, poor air quality and high humidex days make breathing an effort for those with asthma, respiratory ailments or allergies. "Poor air quality is an increasing problem for these sufferers," says Dr. Mark Jany, Internist, Respirologist, and NHS Chief of the Department of Medicine. "Their symptoms – shortness of breath, wheezing, tightening of the chest – will generally get worse on the smog alert days."
The hot, hazy weather mainly affects Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) patients and asthma sufferers. "I advise people to use air conditioning and avoid the outdoor conditions whenever possible," Dr. Jany says. "Asthma patients need to make sure they use their prevention medication appropriately. If their asthma is under control, they are less likely to have increased symptoms."
Some general tips to keep breathing are to avoid strenuous exercise on poor air quality days. Dr. Jany advises the use of air conditioning wherever possible for those affected and to use a quality AC filter and clean or change it regularly. For those with central air conditioning, Dr. Jany advises checking frequently that your furnace filter is clean.
People with allergies need to keep in mind that pollen counts can be high at night, so keep your windows closed and continue to use air conditioning, even if it is cooler outside.
West Nile Virus (WNV) (Courtesy of Niagara Region Public Health)
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito borne virus that can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and flu-like illness. The virus is amplified in the mosquito/bird cycle and is spread to humans by the bite of an infected mosquito. Since 2001, there have been 24 human WNV cases in Niagara. The virus has also been identified in the bird, mosquito and horse populations.
Research has shown that reducing the vector mosquito population is an important step in the process of minimizing the spread of West Nile Virus to the human population. All property owners are requested by the Niagara Region Public Health Department to remove standing water to reduce the numbers of mosquitoes, thereby decreasing the risk to human health.
How to reduce your risk of contracting West Nile Virus.
Wear light-coloured clothing and long-sleeved shirts and pants. Consider using personal insect repellents that are federally registered, such as those that contain DEET.
Through dead bird surveillance, we can check whether WNV is present within the Region. Residents are encouraged to report sightings of dead crows and blue jays, by calling the West Nile Virus Info line at 905-688-8248 ext. 7335 or 1-888-505-6074.