Dave Johnson, Phylmar newsletter editor
2023 was historic in the number of costly disasters and weather extremes throughout much of the United States, according to the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
There were 28 weather and climate disasters in 2023, costing at least $92.9 billion. A weather or climate disaster is defined as costing at least $1 billion. The NCEI information is conservative estimate of how many extreme weather events occur each year, and the costs the United States.
Extreme weather includes severe winter weather (snowstorms, blizzards, cold waves and ice storms), flooding, flash flooding, droughts, cyclones, hurricanes, thunderstorms and lightning, hailstorms, wind storms, and wildfires.
Wildfires have made constant news headlines this year, breaking out on an almost daily basis this summer. In 2024, more than 28,000 wildfires have burned more than 4.5 million acres in the U.S., according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Wildfire seasons typically begin in June or July and stretch until mid-fall. But due to heat waves and other extremes of weather, fire seasons no longer are typical. A record 15 national heat records have been broken since the start of the year, and approximately 150 monthly national temperature records have also been broken, a climate historian told The Guardian, a UK-based newspaper.
The scope and intensity of wildfires have blanketed much of the Midwest and parts of the eastern U.S. in wildfire smoke, with smoke and ash spreading over large swaths from Reno to Toronto and New York.
Wildfire smoke health effects
Wildfire smoke is known to potentially cause a variety of health effects depending on the exposure level.. Excessive levels of particulates from wildfire smoke has been linked to spikes in hospital admissions and ambulance calls for conditions such as asthma and cardiovascular issues. Says one physician quoted in a Guardian article, ”We’ve long been concerned, but people don’t fully understand this threat because it is a new one.”
Wildfire smoke contains a variety of microscopic-size particles volatile organic compounds, and heavy metals. When buildings burn, the smoke includes metals, cleaners and many other substances, some that are carcinogenic – arsenic, lead, nickel, cadmium and chromium. Formaldehyde and carbon monoxide are among hazardous vapors and gases produced by chemical reactions in a fire.
Acute exposure to wildfire smoke can result in eye, nose and throat irritation; coughing; shortness of breath; and chest tightness. Respirable particles penetrate deep into the lungs – possibly reducing lung function by reducing available oxygen. Chronic diseases such as emphysema, coronary obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic asthma are also known effects of inhaling wildfire particles that are about one-thirtieth of a human hair (1/16 of an inch).
People need to think about these high particulate days differently, says the physician quoted above. “We need a new consciousness about this new era of unnatural disasters we are living in.”
Helping to raise awareness is a training course produced by the Phylmar Training Academy https://phylmar.learningcart.com/content/Default.aspx, “Protect Yourself: Wildfire Smoke Employee Training.” This 45-minute to one-hour online course focuses on employee training, not just employer training, says Cass Ben-Levi, director of the Phylmar Academy. “The training is to empower employees to know what to do when they are vulnerable to a wildfire smoke hazard, especially when a supervisor is not around.”
Understanding the air-quality index
One of the most important practices to protect employees is to check the air-quality index (AQI) daily. The AQI is localized to very specific regions and is color coded. Green represents good air quality with values from 0 to 50; with yellow (moderate air quality, 51-100); orange (unhealthy for sensitive people, 101to 150); red (unhealthy air, 151 to 200); purple (very unhealthy, 201 to 300); and maroon (hazardous air quality, 301 and higher). Very unhealthy air warrants health alerts stating that the risk of health effects is increased for everyone. Hazardous air quality, the most dangerous, indicates a health warning of emergency conditions with everyone more likely to be affected.
The Phylmar training course teaches these best practices for protection: 1) learn AQI and the color charts; 2) learn wildfire smoke health effects; 3) ask supervisors what measures are in place if smoke exposure becomes a reality; 4) employees should know their rights – being notified about worsening conditions, seeking medical help, wearing NIOSH-approved respirators; 5) report to supervisors when wildfire smoke exposure exists; 6) report feeling any symptoms or if coworkers have symptoms; 7) ask for additional breaks; and 8) wear respiratory protection even if it is not comfortable.
The heat is on
Wildfires have garnered national attention in 2024, but the number one killer of more people than any other extreme weather condition is heat. Heat-related deaths in the U.S. increased by 117% between 1999 and 2023, according to a recent report released by the Journal of the American Medical Association. Data from the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates more than 21,500 U.S. deaths in the past two decades were connected to heat. Heat-related deaths in 2023 totaled 2,325. In this past July, more than 130 million Americans were under heat advisory warnings, and since the start of this year, 15 national heat records have been broken.
In July, OSHA proposed a rule to prevent heat injuries and illnesses in indoor and outdoor workplaces. The proposal, most likely years from being finalized, requires employers to develop plans to evaluate and control heat hazards, monitor temperatures, and implement controls at two thresholds: 1) at a heat index of 80⁰F, employers must provide drinking water and break areas in shaded or enclosed spaces with air conditioning; and 2) at 90⁰F, employers must monitor for signs of heat illness and provide mandatory 15-minute breaks every two hours. Workers must be trained how to prevent heat illnesses and managers must know how to look for potential risks.
Workers facing possible exposures to wildfire smoke and heat illnesses overlap to a degree. These include outdoor employees in firefighting, construction, agriculture, landscaping, forestry, refuse collection and delivery transport. But exposure to extreme heat encompasses a much broader scope of workers. OSHA’s proposed standard would protect approximately 36 million workers in indoor and outdoor workplaces. Non-construction industries that are today targeted by an OSHA National Emphasis Program for heat-related hazards include mining, bakeries, sawmills, chemical manufacturing, glass manufacturing, iron and steel mills, foundries, motor vehicle production, aerospace production, railroads, warehouses and storage facilities, delivery services, shipbuilding, and numerous wholesalers and retailers. Many construction industries are also targeted. The entire list of industries can be found at https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/enforcement/directives/CPL_03-00-024.pdf.
“Preventing Workplace Heat Illness: Indoor and Outdoor” is a Phylmar Academy online course emphasizing these best practices: 1) identify symptoms of heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke; 2) acclimatize new workers to heat in 7-14 work days; 3) know the body’s reaction to heat; 4) fluid replacement practices; 5) rest and water breaks (don’t wait for symptoms to appear); 6) reduce the physical demands of jobs; 7) increase the number of workers per job; 8) train supervisors; 8) be capable of self-monitoring for symptoms; 9) be aware of heat alerts; and 10) know that injuries caused by heat can involve sweaty palms (dropped objects), fogged-up safety glasses, and dizziness.
Cal/OSHA is a step ahead, with new indoor heat standards that became effective in July for employees working in California. Phylmar Academy has a separate course, “Preventing Workplace Heat Illness: Indoor and Outdoor – California Version,” https://phylmar.learningcart.com/products/Preventing-Workplace-Heat-Illness—Indoor-and-Outdoor—-California-version.aspx, that details the requirements of the standard.
Both courses include links to free heat stress tools from AIHA (American Industrial Hygiene Association).
Divided opinions
In 2019, the International Labour Organization (ILO) published a 104-page report, “Working on a Warmer Planet.” A “warmer planet” pertains to both heat illnesses and wildfire smoke health effects. The premise of the report is this: “Global warming will make heat stress and extreme weather events more common.” In 2024, this is still a widely disputed claim that can interfere with environmental safety and health efforts to protect workers facing heat hazards. NASA states the vast majority of actively publishing climate scientists – 97% — agree that humans are causing global warming and climate change. But a Pew Research Center survey states overall, less than half of Americans (46%) say human activity is the primary reason the earth is warming. According to the survey, 26% say warming is mostly caused by natural patterns in the environment and 14% do not believe evidence exists that the Earth is warming at all.
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