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Duke researchers say warming temperatures cost NC in lost productivity, increased need for healthcare

Summer weather is hot and getting hotter. Duke University researchers discussed Thursday morning about how rising temperatures are affecting U.S. productivity, the economy and the overall health of American citizens.

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By
Brian Shrader
, WRAL anchor/reporter

Summer weather is hot and getting hotter. Duke University researchers discussed Thursday morning the impact of rising temperatures on U.S. productivity, the economy and the overall health of American citizens.

Outdoor workers, especially in areas that are more humid, are able to work fewer hours each day because of the heat.

People who work outdoors not only are exposed to hot temperatures during the day, but also generate internal body heat. If they aren't able to cool down during the day they could suffer from long-term heat-related illnesses in life.

Loss of work could cost the U.S. up to $100 billion a year in lost productivity, according to Duke University research presented Thursday.

Warmer overnight temperatures are also leading to more heat-related illnesses.

Research shows that heat-related emergency room visits are costing North Carolina around $20 million each year. And people are headed to the emergency room with heat stroke even when heat advisories aren't issued.

“We actually see people headed to the emergency department at temperatures lower than when emergency warnings were issued by the National Weather Service," said Ashley Ward, a climate health scientist.

On top of that, North Carolinians have also seen a greater number of pre-term births, according to earth and climate studies researcher Luke Parsons.

"More and more research is coming that it really matters how hot it is overnight, the cumulative exposure of people to heat overnight," Parsons said. "If they can't let their bodies cool down, their bodies kind of can't reset and recover from the heat. There's short- and long-term health consequences from that."

The researchers said that Americans need to increase energy efficiency in homes and the government needs to help lower-income people get access to cooling devices, like window heat pumps.

“It’s a health equity issue," Parsons said.

When planning developments, Parsons said builders should try to increase tree canopy cover and shade and put white roofs on buildings.

Ward encouraged the government to pass stricter regulations to help protect worker safety.

“By increasing both the regulations and the enforcement of workplace protections for occupational heat exposure – in the Southeast and particularly in North Carolina – energy poverty and occupational heat play a critical role in the heat, morbidity and mortality that we see," she said.

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