Heatwaves - Health Impacts
"A heatwave refers to a prolonged period of abnormally hot weather which may be accompanied by high humidity. While there is no generally accepted definition of a heatwave, in Ireland it's classified as 5 consecutive days with a maximum temperature in excess of 25 degrees Celsius". (Met Eireann)
Heatwaves are associated with environmental effects and these can cause public health impacts such as:
| Environmental Effect | Potential Health Impact |
| High temperature | Heat stress, heat exhaustion, heatstroke indoors especially for sick or elderly people Health stress, heat exhaustion heatstroke outdoors especially for outdoor workers and homelessPublic Health Advice to minimise riskKey public health messages during heatwaves (produced 14 July 2022)General adviceAdvice about Covid-19 and HeatstrokeAdvice about protecting childrenHeatwave advice for older adultsHeatwave advice for older persons servicesHeatwave advice for outdoor workersIndoor temperature controlAdditional things to consider during heatwaves:Child safety - sun and outdoor safety and water safetyWater safety for adults and children (from gov.ie) Bathing water incidentsFoodborne illness associated with barbeques, breaches in temperature control (from hpsc.ie)Waterborne illness due to altered water management systemsLegionellosis due to temperature control breaches in water systems, or in compost (from hpsc.ie) |
| Longer hours of direct sunlight | Sunburn and UV related skin cancer |
| Drought leading to restricted water | DehydrationIncreased risk of infection |
| Wildfires | InjuriesAir pollution from wildfires |
Please click into the above for more information and general health advice.
Information, Data and Reports for
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Environment and Health
- Air Quality
- Bathing Water and Health
- Carbon Monoxide
- Climate Change
- Energy and Health
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Public Health Medicine Environment and Health Guidance and other Resources
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Heatwaves - Health Impacts
- Covid-19 & Heatstroke
- Heatwave Advice - Children
- Air pollution from wildfires
- Dehydration
- Heatwave Health Advice
- Heatwave Advice - Older Adults
- Heatwave Advice - Older Persons Services
- Heatwave Advice - Outdoor Workers
- Indoor Temperature Control
- Sun and outdoor safety
- Preventing sunburn in children
- Causes and prevention -Skin cancer (melanoma)
- Investigation of possible waterborne disease
- Water Safety
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Heatwaves - Health Impacts
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Extreme weather events
- Flooding
- Air Quality
- Carbon Monoxide
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Key messages for staying safe during cold weather
- Cold Weather Advice for the General Public
- Air Quality and Safe Room Ventilation During Cold Weather
- Cold Weather Advice for Older People and their Families and Neighbours
- Cold Weather Advice for Parents and Caregivers: Tips to Keep your Children Warm this Winter
- Cold Weather Advice for People with Specific Medical Conditions
- Cold Weather Advice for Health and Care Professionals
- Useful Links and Resources
- Frostbite and Hypothermia
- Heat related hazards
- Public Health advice for severe storms
- PHMEHG Submissions
- Noise: Environmental Noise Guidelines
- Radon and health
- Radiation
- PHMEHG position papers
Ireland’s specialist service for the surveillance of communicable diseases.