Dangerous pavement burns increase as desert heat intensifies

As temperatures rise, severe pavement burns, particularly in the desert Southwest, are becoming more common and sometimes deadly.

Adeel Hassan and Isabelle Taft report for The New York Times.

In short:

• Stephen Cantwell suffered severe burns after passing out on a Las Vegas sidewalk during extreme heat.
• Burn centers in the Southwest report a significant increase in contact burns, with many cases proving fatal.
• Urban expansion in hot regions increases the risk, with asphalt and concrete absorbing and radiating extreme heat.

Key quote:

“Your body just literally sits there and cooks. When somebody finally finds you, you’re already in multisystem organ failure.”

— Clifford C. Sheckter, surgeon and a burn prevention researcher at Stanford University

Why this matters:

As climate change continues to drive temperatures higher, especially in urban areas, the risk of severe burns from hot surfaces is growing. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, homeless, and children, are particularly at risk.

Related EHN coverage:

• Hot temperatures may be bad for brains, even young and healthy ones: Study
• LISTEN: Daniel Carrión on the "heat stroke or go broke" dilemma
• How youth can battle extreme heat in their communities