“Air conditioning is good individually, but not collectively”: Quebecers will have to get used to living in the heat, warns a researcher

Quebecers must absolutely adapt to summer hot weather rather than always taking refuge in air conditioning, warns a convinced researcher that there is a way to be active when it is hot without health risk.

“We must not hide. For example, help life, we will no longer live,” emphasizes Daniel Gagnon, professor of kinesiology at the University of Montreal, specializing in adaptation to heat. Moreover, There are a lot of little things, there is a way to adapt. However, ”

According to projections, half of the summer days could reach the CAP of 30 ° Celsius in Montreal, by 2050.

“Air conditioning is good individually, but not collectively. However, It puts huge pressure on the electricity network and it can cause breakdowns, he said. Therefore, And it can be very expensive. Meanwhile, People cannot afford it. ”

Up to “air conditioning good individually, but 70 ° Celsius

Since 2016. this researcher has studies the ability of people to adapt to heat in a “climate chamber” at the Epic Center of the Montreal Cardiology Institute.

This part can reach 70 ° Celsius and a humidity of 60%.

Sportsmen. seniors, construction workers: all kinds of patients have since spent a four -hour test in the room set to 38 ° Celsius (to represent the conditions of Quebec). Various data is analyzed there. such as heart rate, vital signs and body temperature during the test, which requires punctual effort on the treadmill.

Researcher Daniel Gagnon follows a heat test in the climate chamber. with the participant Shoji Leach, at the Montreal Cardiology Institute. Ben Pelosse / JD

After four hours, people have lost to a liter of sweat. Some sweat up to one liter.

“Sweating is a good thing!” It is [notre] internal heat loss method, ”notes the specialist.

Proof that we can adapt to the hot weather: at the end of the test. most people had seen their body temperature increase by only 37 to 37.5 ° Celsius.

“In general, people react great. It’s harder at first, but they adapt, ”said the 42 -year -old researcher.

Avoid closings

Because of global warming, the closing of schools or construction sites could multiply in the future.

“You can’t just try to avoid heat all the “air conditioning good individually, but time. We will have to learn to live with too. ”

One of the good things, according to Mr. Gagnon, is to gradually lower the level of air conditioning at home. It is also necessary to remain active in a cautious way.

“Exposing herself regularly to the heat is a good thing to adapt. ” says the man who returns from an internship in Australia, where it is very hot.

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How to protect yourself from heat

• Drink water so as not to dehydrate;
• Light fans if you don’t have air conditioning;
• Mop water on the skin;
• Take a cold foot bath;
• Stay in the shade;
• Wear a hat.

In addition, it is true that people over 65 have more difficulty evacuating heat and can therefore be inconvenienced more quickly. However, Mr. Gagnon does not believe that he “air conditioning good individually, but should stop being active as soon as he is hot.

“The elderly complains less during the tests, they may have less the perception of heat,” he notes.