The intense recent heat in Chicago buckled pavement, canceled summer school classes and contributed to at least two deaths, reports cynthia Dizikes and Lolly Boween at the Chicago Tribune. A train derailment that killed two people was being partly attributed to the heat — authorities believe the steel rails may have expanded, contributing to the crash. Authorities also believe heat-expanded concrete and high winds caused a west suburban building to collapse, injuring two children. But the most dangerous part of the triple-digit highs could be yet to come, according to medical experts. “It all comes down to cumulative effect,” said Dr. Brian Sayger at Advocate Christ Medical Center, which has seen about seven cases of heat exhaustion in the last several days. “For individuals who are not able to replenish by hydrating and resting, each day becomes more taxing.” All that continuous heat can be tough on the human body. As the mercury spikes, people sweat to cool off. But over prolonged hot spells, the body can severely dehydrate, losing the ability to sweat and causing internal temperatures to soar and organs to shut down.
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Intense heat in Chicago a factor in two deaths, many disruptions. The intense heat bearing down on the Chicago area has already buckled pavement, canceled summer school classes and contributed to at least two deaths. But the most dangerous part of the triple-digit highs could be yet to come, according to medical experts. Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-chicago-heat-0706-20120706,0,2082104.story
