June 28, 2002|By Johnathon E. Briggs | Johnathon E. Briggs,SUN STAFF
Five straight days of unrelenting heat, humidity and polluted air contributed to the deaths of three people in Maryland this week -- two Baltimore residents and a Montgomery County woman -- the first heat-related fatalities this year.
The state medical examiner said yesterday that heat was a contributing factor in the death of a 33-year-old Montgomery County woman whose body was discovered in her home Tuesday. The woman's case was complicated by multiple sclerosis, said the medical examiner, who did not elaborate. She lived in Aspen Hill and was not identified.
Hers was the first heat-related death recorded this year.
Heat was also suspected in the death of a 68-year-old man yesterday and of a 46-year-old woman Wednesday, both of whom had "significant underlying health conditions," said Dr. Peter L. Beilenson, the city's health commissioner.
Although the city Health Department is still awaiting confirmation from the state medical examiner, Beilenson said the city deaths "were communicated to us as very likely heated-related."
Both victims, who were not identified, were found in their homes and at least one, Beilenson said, did not have air conditioning.
"It's generally the older folks with underlying conditions who have trouble dealing with the physical stress of the heat," he said. "It's very unfortunate for the families, but it's not [unusual] when you have a few days [of heat] in a row."
In August, the deaths of four elderly Marylanders were blamed on a heat wave, including a 65-year-old man who was found dead in the bed of his mobile home near Elkton. Cecil County authorities said the temperature inside the trailer was close to 100 degrees. Three of the victims had cardiovascular disease, state health officials said.
Beilenson said this week's fatalities underscore the importance of checking on elderly and sick friends and neighbors, in addition to children, who may have difficulty coping with the steamy weather.
"If possible, take people to malls, seniors centers," Beilenson said. "Fans do not work well in this terribly hot, humid weather." Drinking plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, wearing light-colored loose clothing, and taking breaks while working outdoors are also recommended.
Temperatures reached 94 degrees yesterday at Baltimore-Washington International Airport by midafternoon and remained in the 90s until the evening, when clouds and a light rain accompanying a cold front rolled in. The high at the Inner Harbor was 95 degrees at 2:54 p.m.
The National Weather Service forecast called for a slightly cooler day today, with morning clouds clearing by the afternoon and highs in the upper 80s.
Sun staff writer Jonathan Bor contributed to this article.
