Urban heat island means hotter temperatures in big cities
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
As temperatures soar across the U.S, health officials are on alert, especially those in big cities.
Many urban areas can experience up to 10-degrees hotter temperatures than rural areas.
The term urban heat island is a term that basically means it`s going to be a lot hotter in the cities and commercial areas than it would be in rural areas.
A heat island can be a good thing but it can also be a bad thing.
Heat islands form in cities because cities are covered in pavement and buildings and most major cities have fewer trees and natural vegetation.
While the number show more people being affected by the heat in big cities health experts say anyone can fall victim says, Epidemiology Specialist Ron Tolen.
"Well its been a lot of old people but, theres young workers too. Theres incidents of people exerting themselves not keeping themselves hydrated," Tolen said.
In addition to drinking water and watering plants, building experts say its not a bad idea to water your home foundation to guard against hydro-static pressure.
It`s a consequence of really dry, cracked ground should there be a sudden rain.
Such dirt can let a little rain turn into a flood in the basement.
