TRIBUNE CONTENT AGENCY • September 2, 2024
Every year, tens of millions of U.S. workers in both indoor and outdoor settings face the dangers of extreme heat. Climate change means rising global temperatures and also increased humidity, which interferes with the evaporation of sweat, the body’s natural cooling mechanism. And because temperatures are also now higher at night, it’s more difficult for workers to recover by resting up and cooling down after long hours. The consequences are severe. Public Citizen projects that extreme heat kills about 2,000 workers annually, and another 170,000 suffer heat-related injuries and illnesses. These numbers are certainly an underestimate. As we observe Labor Day, a holiday intended to honor American workers, it’s clear that we need basic heat protections. ~ Jessica E. Martinez