Heat Strain and Mortality Effects of Prolonged Central European Heat Wave-an Example of June 2019 in Poland

Overview

Journal Int J Biometeorol

Specialty Biophysics

Date 2021 Oct 26

PMID 34698932

Citations 1

Authors

Krzysztof Blazejczyk

Robert Twardosz

Piotr Walach

Kaja Czarnecka

Anna Blazejczyk

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

The occurrence of long-lasting severe heat stress, such as in July-August 2003, July 2010, or in April-May 2018 has been one of the biggest meteorological threats in Europe in recent years. The paper focuses on the biometeorological and mortality effects of the hot June that was observed in Central Europe in 2019. The basis of the study was hourly and daily Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI) values at meteorological stations in Poland for June 2019. The average monthly air temperature and UTCI values from 1951 to 2018 were analysed as background. Grosswetterlagen calendar of atmospheric circulation was used to assess synoptic conditions of heat wave. Several heat strain measures were applied : net heat storage (S), modelled heart rate (HR), sultriness (HSI), and UTCI index. Actual total mortality (TM) and modelled strong heat-related mortality (SHRM) were taken as indicators of biometeorological consequences of the hot June in 2019. The results indicate that prolonged persistence of unusually warm weather in June 2019 was determined by the synoptic conditions occurring over the European region and causing advection of tropical air. They led to the emergence of heat waves causing 10% increase in TM and 5 times bigger SHRM then in preceding 10 years. Such increase in SHRM was an effect of overheating and overload of circulatory system of human organism.

Citing Articles

Machine Learning Analyzed Weather Conditions as an Effective Means in the Predicting of Acute Coronary Syndrome Prevalence.

Wlodarczyk A, Molek P, Bochenek B, Wypych A, Nessler J, Zalewski J Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022; 9:830823.

PMID: 35463797 PMC: 9024050. DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.830823.

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