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Climate and Mealth

     Kuwait has a comparatively healthy climate.  The intense
sunlight kills bacteria and the general scarcity of water hinders
the spread of water born diseases.   Increasing areas of
vegitetion have encourged mosquitoes but so far not the malarial
kind.  Nasal and sinus complaints are more widespread partly due
to dust and partly to pollen from the prosipus trees of which
many have been planted, because of their high salt tolerance and
rapid rate of growth.

     The effect of the intense summer heat is somewhat modified
by the very low relative humidity which induces a high rate of
evaporation of sweat.   This can amount to as much as four pints
an hour during intense activity in the hot midday sun although a
daily loss of about 12 pints is considered average for outdoor
workers.   This must of course be replaced since; when the ambient
air temperature is above blood heat it is the only way by which
the body may be cooled.   There is also a loss of salt from the
body which can amount to as much as 20 grammes a day.   This must
also be replaced.   To supply this fluid to the sweat glands
circulation of the blood may increase as much as three times with
consequent strain on the heart.   Activity at such times must
therefore be modified to avoid overstrain.   This strain may
further increase because as the body looses moisture the
viscosity of the blood increases and the heart has to work even
harder.

     To encourage evaporation clothes should be loose fitting to
encourage air movement and preferably light in color to reflect
as much sunlight as possible.

     Acclimatization takes about one month during which time the
blood vessels enlarge and the salt concentration in sweat
decreases.   Perspiration rates increase but salt loss is less and
the body can do more work with less physical distress.

     The most dangerous times in Kuwait are the few periods of
high humidity during the summer when the air temperature is over
1000 F.   Since the rate of evaporation is reduced prolonged
activity causes rapid heating of the body and heat stroke may
result.   These periods are fortunately few but it is normal
practice to stop all site work when a relative humidity of over
80% occurs at air temperatures over 1000 F.   These conditions
occur most frequently on sites along the waterfront.


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