Intense heat waves pose rising health hazard: Expert
When a heat wave hits, it is important to go beyond the traditional consideration of the temperature shown on a thermometer but to pay attention to the 'wet-bulb global temperature', which comprehensively accounts for factors such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, and radiant heat.
This metric more accurately reflects the actual threat of high temperatures to human health, said Victor Hoe Chee Wai of the Department of Social and Preventive Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua.
Hoe said that a wet-bulb thermometer is created by covering a regular thermometer with a wet cloth and placing it in moving air. As the water evaporates, it cools the thermometer, resulting in a reading that is lower than the regular air temperature.
Unlike standard air temperature, which is also known as 'dry-bulb temperature', the wet-bulb global temperature better reflects how environmental heat stress affects health, particularly in outdoor or occupational settings.
Hoe emphasised that this is particularly important for Malaysia, a tropical country located near the equator, where high temperatures and humidity are present year-round, with average annual temperatures ranging from 21 to 32 degrees Celsius.
Hoe noted that as global temperatures rise and humidity levels increase, dangerous high-temperature events are becoming more frequent, and even areas with cooler climates in the past are no longer immune. — BERNAMA-XINHUA
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Extreme heat waves spark climate emergencies worldwide
BANGKOK (Xinhua): A new heat wave alert has raised the alarm worldwide as Europe and the Middle East battled an extremely scorching hot weather this week, prompting many countries to declare climate emergencies. According to Iran's national meteorological service, the country is sweltering through its hottest week of the year, with temperatures hitting above 50 degrees Celsius. In Tehran, the temperatures shot up to 40 degrees on Sunday. As the searing heatwaves persisted, Tehran's water authority had urged residents to cut down water consumption by at least 20 per cent, warning that reservoirs at the dams supplying water to the capital have sunk to "their lowest levels in a century." Some 3,500 km west of Tehran, the Greek capital of Athens is enduring its first prolonged heatwave of this summer as well. Hot air masses sweeping in from North Africa arrived earlier than usual and have formed a heat dome over Greece and the Balkans, pushing temperatures up to 10 degrees above the seasonal norm, said its National Observatory. With average highs forecast to reach 38 degrees this week and peak at 44 degrees in some areas. The National Herald, a Greek daily, described conditions as "hotter than hell." Such aridity, combined with gale-force winds, has put Greece under severe wildfire outbreaks. Firefighters on Thursday grappled with a blaze on the island of Crete that burned through forests and olive groves, forcing the evacuation of more than 1,000 people. In addition, a new outbreak of fire near Athens edged dangerously close to residential areas. Elsewhere, Türkiye recorded 761 wildfires in the 10 days following June 26. The fires flaring in and around the western Izmir Province have claimed the lives of an elderly man and a forest department worker. Across Europe, at least eight heat-related deaths have been reported in several countries, including Spain and Italy, as the continent baked in the heatwave. "We are currently under the influence of a strong high-pressure system; this is trapping hot air from northern Africa over the region. And as we can see, it's having a pretty big impact on what we are experiencing now," Clare Nullis, a World Meteorological Organisation spokesperson, said earlier. She noted that humans will have to learn to live with more frequent and intense heat waves as a result of climate change. The EU-funded Copernicus Climate Change Service said in a recent article that "damage to the built environment from extreme weather events is expected to increase tenfold by the end of the century due to climate change alone." Such widespread climate impacts highlight the importance of building greater resilience, it noted, calling for physical and technological measures such as water recycling, separation of rain and greywater, climate-resilient building design, risk mapping, and early warning systems. "Adaptation is required across all sectors and governance levels, and actions must address both current climate impacts and steps to protect against future risks," it said. -Xinhua
The Star
8 hours ago
- The Star
Australia's growing algal crisis in south devastates marine life
CANBERRA: Australia's government has unveiled an assistance package of at least A$14 million (US$9.1 million) to help tackle a growing algal bloom crisis off the southern coast that's killing marine life and damaging regional fisheries. Environment Minister Murray Watt announced the funding package in the southern city of Adelaide on Monday (July 21) after inspecting the damage. He described the unfolding natural disaster as "a very serious event.' The outbreak of the algal bloom in South Australia state was sparked by the karenia mikimotoi plankton and first detected in mid-March. Since then, it has spread across thousands of square kilometres into waterways near Adelaide. It has now developed into an event of "unprecedented scale, duration and impact,' the state government said. "Nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom.' Watt said the federal funding was intended to help clear dead wildlife and provide assistance for tourism and fisheries, as well as longer-term prevention measures. "There's clearly a need to invest more in science and research about this event,' he said. Since the start of the year, a citizen scientist website cataloging marine wildlife deaths along the South Australian coast has received more than 13,000 reports of dead wildlife. In the fiscal year ending June 2024, South Australia's seafood industry brought in more than A$478 million for the state, including the rock lobster industry that had only just received approval to resume exports to China. There are three potential causes of the algal bloom, according to the state government, including a marine heat wave that began in September 2024 and sent temperatures about 2.5 degrees Celsius higher than usual. Experts have warned that climate change is increasing the risk of dangerous algal blooms around the world by warming oceans and changing weather patterns. The natural disaster could undermine Australia's pitch to host the 2026 United Nations climate summit in Adelaide. The federal government has been touting South Australia's high renewable‑energy penetration as it competes with Türkiye for the event, but the bloom is drawing attention to gaps in how the state manages environmental crises. - Bloomberg
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Laos on alert as Typhoon Wipha brings torrential rain
VIENTIANE: The weather bureau of Laos has issued a warning of increased risk of flash floods and landslides as Typhoon Wipha, the sixth typhoon of the year, is expected to bring heavy rainfall, strong winds, and thunderstorms across the country. As Typhoon Wipha weakens into a tropical storm near Vietnam between Monday (July 21) and Tuesday, it is expected to affect northern and central parts of Laos, bringing light to moderate thunderstorms in most areas, along with heavy rain and strong winds in some central and southern parts, according to a report from the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, under the Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Residents in low-lying areas and along riverbanks are urged to remain alert and prepare for several days of continuous heavy rain, which may trigger landslides, flash floods and damage to lives and property. All citizens are encouraged to closely monitor official forecasts and warnings. - Xinhua
