Warnings issued as heat wave swamps region

The level of ozone has prompted a "code-red" alert.

By: David Campbell
   The National Weather Service in Mount Holly has issued an excessive heat warning due to an expected heat index reading of 100 to 105 degrees today and temperatures in the mid 90s the entire week.
   The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission has issued a "code-red" warning for today due to ground-level ozone concentrations that are expected to exceed federal air-quality standards.
   And the American Red Cross and the American Lung Association are warning people to take precautions to avoid health risks posed by the summer swelter.
   "People should be aware of the risks," said Kathy Schroeder of the Central New Jersey Chapter of the Red Cross, based on Alexander Road. "They should stay indoors, wear light-weight clothing, take plenty of breaks and drink plenty of water."
   Ms. Schroeder also advised people to eat smaller meals, and to have meals more often.
   She said seniors and children are most at risk from the heat, "because they don’t adapt as well to extremes, whether it be heat or cold."
   According to Steven Luxenberg of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, ground-level ozone concentrations are expected to reach hazardous levels today.
   "On days like today and tomorrow, you wind up with very little wind and sun unimpeded by clouds, which creates hot and stagnant air, like an oven," Mr. Luxenberg said Monday, when a "code-orange" warning was issued due to the ozone.
   Mr. Luxenberg explained that "code-orange" days pose a danger to high-risk individuals such as children, seniors and people with asthma, while "code-red" days like today mean "the rest of us might have difficulty breathing."
   People should try to limit daytime driving and, if possible, avoid driving during periods of high congestion, Mr. Luxenberg said.
   He also advised people to refuel their cars in the evening and avoid prolonged idling and "jackrabbit" starts; postpone the use of gas-powered lawn mowers until evening; and avoid lighting your barbecue with starter fluid.
   Ground-level ozone that is produced from motor-vehicle and power-plant emissions has been shown to cause asthma attacks and aggravate other lung diseases, according to Nicole Zamerovsky of the American Lung Association.
   The association is advising people to avoid areas with heavy auto or truck traffic; avoid outdoor exercise during rush hours and in the afternoon, when ozone levels are highest; and check air-pollution forecasts before planning outdoor activities.
   According to reports by the American Red Cross, about 175 Americans are killed each year by summer heat. Of the many types of severe weather such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and lightening, only winter cold is more hazardous than extreme summer heat.
   When meteorologists issue excessive heat warnings, they often refer to both the temperature and the "heat index," a measure of how hot it feels outside when the actual temperature is compounded by high humidity.
   According to the Red Cross, everyone is at risk when temperatures rise above 90 degrees. Warning signs of heat illness include flushed or unusually pale skin, heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea and headaches.
   If any of these symptoms occur, the affected person should be taken to a cool, preferably air-conditioned place and given water to drink, along with cool wet compresses for the skin, if possible.
   If the victim vomits or cannot drink water, he or she should be taken to a hospital immediately.
   Red Cross spokeswoman Christine Gazzara said area Red Cross volunteers regularly visit more than 200 Mercer County elderly through the organization’s meals-on-wheels program and transportation service, and check up on them on hot days like today.
   Ms. Gazzara said, to date, no elderly have fallen ill in the heat this summer, but one case was reported last year.