NOAH WHITELEATHER IS CEO OF NOAH WHITELEATHER, LLC. HE’S LOST REVENUE DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT THIS SUMMER, AS GRASS HAS DRIED UP AND EMPLOYEES MUST TAKE MORE BREAKS.
The extreme heat disproportionately affects Pittsburgh’s Black residents
by Marcia Liggett
For New Pittsburgh Courier
The summer weather this year in the Pittsburgh area is—no pun intended—a hot topic.
And systemic discrimination has put countless Black Pittsburghers at a greater risk of danger from the extreme heat.
Beginning in the 1930s, a practice known as “redlining” created disproportionate financial impacts on mainly Black communities, as funding for purchasing homes was intentionally withheld and little investment in those communities was made. Many Black families still live in low-income, concrete-ridden areas and are still deprived of adequate financial resources.
Many of these areas can be classified now as “Urban Heat Islands,” concentrated areas that have less greenery such as grass and trees. Therefore, as temperatures increase with global warming and climate change, these communities, on average, are hotter by 10 to 15 degrees compared to grassy, tree-lined residential neighborhoods one would find in the suburbs.
In June 2024, Pittsburghers experienced a week of record-breaking, extreme high temperatures that led to multiple days of heat advisories over the Juneteenth weekend, which made outdoor celebrations and activities particularly dangerous. It was the hottest stretch Pittsburgh had since the heat wave of 1988.
This summer, the Pittsburgh area has seen at least 16 single days of 90-plus degree temperatures, which is not normal for the region.
Pittsburgh’s roadways are often built with tremendous amounts of blacktop and concrete, which literally bake in the sunlight and emit significant amounts of excess heat, causing rapid temperature increases. Tall, closely situated buildings and narrow streets prohibit adequate airflow, making the Steel City and its region considerably hotter.
AMBER LIGGETT IS A SCIENCE COMMUNICATOR AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST FOR GROUNDSWELL, WORKING AS A FEDERAL CONTRACTOR AT THE NOAA IN THE CLIMATE PROGRAM OFFICE. (PHOTO BY ROB LIGGETT)
Meteorologist and Emergency Manager Amber Liggett is a science communicator and communications specialist for Groundswell, working as a federal contractor at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the Climate Program Office. She said that when it comes to measuring the temperature, there’s a distinct difference between the actual temperature and the “real feel temperature,” also known as the heat index. The heat index incorporates what the temperature would really feel like when you factor in the humidity.
“It is imperative to take precautions to ensure safety, as heat puts a strain on the body when you’re trying to cool down,” Amber Liggett told the New Pittsburgh Courier. “This is especially true for manual laborers who work outside and do not have access to shade or air conditioning, or who lack access to cold water or other ways to cool down, making them more susceptible to extreme heat impacts. Avoid sugary and caffeinated beverages as they cause dehydration. Take cool showers. Cover windows with drapes and shades and check the forecast frequently to stay informed.”
People without access to air conditioning are more vulnerable to the impacts of extreme heat. Amber Liggett cautioned about using box fans to stay cool during extreme heat events. “If you use a fan, it’s better to use it at nighttime during excessive heat events so you’re not pulling in extra hot air from outside, which can actually increase indoor temperatures,” she said.
“Historical health impacts to Black people like heart disease and diabetes are typically exacerbated by extreme heat and can interfere with some medications prescribed to older people, impacting how efficiently their bodies are able to sweat, stay hydrated or handle heat, all of which can result in heat illness, heat stroke or heart issues,” Amber Liggett added.
The cascading impacts of extreme heat are affecting 23-year-old Noah Whiteleather, owner of Noah Whiteleather, LLC, a landscaping business in Rochester, Pa., in Beaver County, who struggles to keep his employees safe without sacrificing income.
“I’ve noticed that it’s been hotter each summer since I moved here from Florida in 2019. When it’s hot and the grass dries up, we don’t have grass to cut, so I must find new projects to take on to generate income,” he told the Courier.
Whiteleather keeps employees safe during extreme heat events by providing constant access to cold water and having the staff wear appropriate covering, like bucket hats and long sleeves. Additional breaks are given, and long lunches are taken at air-conditioned restaurants. Those extra breaks and long lunches mean they can’t service as many customers throughout the week, resulting in lost revenue.
DR. ALAINA JAMES IS A PRACTICING DERMATOLOGIST OF 16 YEARS AND CLINICAL ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH SCHOOL OF MEDICINE.
Dr. Alaina James is a practicing dermatologist of 16 years and owner of Skin Mind Health Caring For Our Every Layer, in Ambridge, in Beaver County, which is scheduled to open this fall. She also is a clinical associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. She told the Courier that “with extreme heat, our skin plays an important role in thermoregulation. Skin functions to cool the body by sweating and releasing heat from the body with changes in blood flow. When the temperatures rise and there is more humidity, the skin must work very hard to help to keep the body cool.”
Dr. James continued: “As we get older, our skin changes tremendously and becomes a lot thinner, which affects the ability of the sweat glands to work. Therefore, they’re less functional, causing the body to produce less sweat and less cooling effect. So, older people are at higher risk of heat exhaustion because of a decrease in the thermoregulation of the body.”
Dr. James urged everyone to utilize universal precautions to protect their skin from both extreme heat and sun exposure, and to stay well hydrated by drinking water, seeking shade, limiting outdoor activities, and staying indoors. She explained that sunscreen can help with sun protection, as can wearing lightweight hats and loose-fitting, lightweight protective clothing to cover the skin.
“The sun’s rays are strongest when they are directly overhead between the hours of 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. and can cause significant damage to the skin during those times,” explained Dr. James, despite the temperature seemingly being hotter later in the afternoon.
People with complicated medical conditions, such as poor circulation and Lupus, are also at an increased risk of having heat stroke or suffering from heat exhaustion.
“Global warming and climate change cause air pollution and allergens to worsen with higher temperatures and that’s another reason why people can experience flares with eczema, skin irritation and itchiness,” Dr. James said. These factors also contribute to respiratory problems and illnesses, making outdoor physical activity potentially dangerous.
Let’s not forget about the babies, too.
“Similar to elderly people, babies are at higher risk from heat and humidity, as their sweat glands are not mature enough and not functioning as well,” Dr. James said. “So, they don’t sweat as much and can’t cool down as well. Babies must be taken care of in heat and humidity.”
Although it’s August, the “Dog Days of Summer” and extreme heat aren’t over. The City of Pittsburgh opens cooling centers when the temperatures are forecasted to reach 90 degrees. Cooling centers are also provided in Pittsburgh’s neighboring municipalities and in Allegheny County’s neighboring counties. A list of cooling centers can be found at pa211.org.
REV. REGINA ROBINSON IS PASTOR AT KINGS TABLE COMMUNITY CHURCH IN MCKEESPORT. (PHOTO BY ROB LIGGETT)
You don’t have to tell Reverend Regina Robinson, the 73-year-old pastor of Kings Table Community Church in McKeesport, that it’s been hot. She relies on public transportation. “Most people my age go out early, so by noon, we’re heading back in to find someplace that’s cool,” she told the Courier. “I recently started using an umbrella for extra shade when I’m out.”
Since the heat exacerbates her heart condition, Rev. Robinson makes an effort to stay hydrated and frequents air-conditioned stores and restaurants. And when she uses her air conditioner at home, it’s caused her utility costs to skyrocket.
“Summers used to be hot,” Rev. Robinson said, “but not like this.”