Whether you work outdoors in agriculture, construction, coaching, or some other capacity, caution should be taken when temperatures rise. Asphalt and concrete store heat longer and gradually release heat at night, making road work extremely hot. Strenuous activity in the heat causes the body to sweat in an effort to cool itself. When sweat evaporates, the body begins to cool. A pea-sized bead of sweat can cool nearly 1 liter (about 1 quart) of blood by 1 °F. In hot, humid conditions, however, evaporation of sweat becomes more difficult, and keeping the body’s temperature regulated can become a problem if precautions are not taken.
