Hot, smoggy and deadly: A miserable summer in Moscow

[marmar]

from the Guardian UK:




Oppressive heat and waves of toxic smog in Moscow has seen the death rate reach 700 a day – twice the normal rate, a senior Russian health official said today.

"The mortality rate has doubled," said Andrei Seltsovsky, head of the city's health department. There were usually 360 to 380 deaths a day in the city, but "now that number is about 700".

The admission came after officials had tried to play down the threat of the choking haze – caused by wildfires outside the capital – and temperatures up to 38C.

Russia's health ministry issued a statement denying Seltsovsky's claim, but there appeared no reason to doubt his account. If true, it will dramatically increase the death toll from the hundreds of wildfires that have swept central Russia.

An acrid cocktail of smoke and pollutants has forced many Muscovites to flee their homes or workplaces in search of air-conditioned malls, cinemas and cafes. But the weak and elderly have struggled to escape the smog and debilitating heat.

Seltsovsky told a press conference there were "theoretical reasons" for the leap in mortality, but did not elaborate. Scientists say levels of carbon monoxide peaked at six times acceptable norms late last week and other toxic particles have clogged the city's air. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/09/moscow-death-rate-russia-wildfires

[aquart]

1. None of us are ready.

[spin]

2. We often have fires in Florida ...

and they do create high levels of smog.

But we have AC and can go inside with closed windows. AC is uncommon in Moscow where I have heard that the average temperature in summer is 75 degrees.

[Desertrose]

3. This is sad......I imagine that Moscow isn't used to such heat. nt