Italy has issued red alert warnings in 22 cities as the country braces itself for an intense heat wave.
People are being urged to avoid direct exposure to sunlight during the hottest hours of the day and to stay hydrated.
In the Lazio region, which includes the capital Rome, an emergency plan has been launched to tackle the effects of the heatwave on people’s health.
It comes as the number of cases of emergency-care treatments for heat-related illnesses increases.
This is particularly prominent in the older age groups and, since a large number of citizens in Italy are over 65 years old, it poses a big risk to the country’s population.
“It is clear that this age group is exposed to a larger risk. The most common health problems around this time of the year include the worsening of chronic diseases such as heart-related issues, like arrhythmia, infections, and kidney function is also affected as well as behavioural issues” says Doctor Giuseppe Famularo, who works at the San Camillo-Forlanini hospital in Rome.
There are also concerns about working conditions when very high temperatures are reached, particularly for those who work outside.
It’s been estimated that an average of 4,000 heat-related injuries occur in the workplace every year in Italy.
Trade unions, especially in the building sector, have launched a campaign to raise awareness on the issue, urging the government to introduce a new set of rules to protect workers.
“Today health and safety issues and injuries in the workplace have to be put in the current context, which is characterised by climate change. So much has changed if you compare working in the building sector 30 years ago to between June and September today. An 8-hour working day can be organised by working a total of 6 and a half to 7 hours in summer and 8 to 9 working hours in winter”, says Alessandro Genovesi, Secretary General of “Fillea Cgil” (Italian Federation of Wood, Construction, Related and Extractive Industries Workers).
But despite soaring temperatures, tourist numbers are still expected to rise this year.
Trade organisations have estimated their presence in the summer months will increase by almost 2% compared to 2023.
Euronews
