Workers Struggle To Stay Cool In Pittsburgh's Scorching Heat

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The blistering heat is leaving many people looking for some way to cool down.

Trying to beat the heat is a tall task for manual labor workers. They've got long hours and non-stop work and say the only way to beat is to not overwork themselves and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

A stretch of 90-degree summer heat has field crews battling through their workdays on the asphalt and landscaping.

"You're never really prepared for it. We need a couple of weeks just to get familiar with it," said Greg Gropeloi of Local Roots Landscaping.

These jobs require 10 to 12 hours of work a day.

Workers say the only way to keep going and stay healthy is to stay hydrated in order to beat the heat.

"Once you're out here, there's no running to the store to get more water, there's no running to the store to get something else. We just have to be prepared at all times here," said Ken Thompson with Local Roots Landscaping.

But it's not only taking care of yourself while on the job. Thompson says it's about caring for yourself after the day is over too: "I just turn the air conditioner up on the way home back to the shop and thank goodness the day is over. Take a cold shower, make sure the air conditioning is down and I try to relax. Stay out of the heat and stay from outside for the evening."

Gropeloi said "It's tough, just hydrate throughout the night, you're almost thirsty throughout the night. It just feels like you always need another cup of water."

Temperatures in Pittsburgh reached 90 degrees on Monday, with both the heat and humidity climbing higher since the weekend.

Doctors say that when temperatures are that high and you're running around, especially as a child, your body struggles to cool itself down.

There's an increased chance of heat-related illness, which can feel like a high fever, and if not treated, could lead to a heat stroke.

As a matter of fact, a study by NOAA shows that excessive heat is the number one weather-related cause of death in the United States.

Dr. Brian Lamb says that symptoms like headaches, profuse sweating, and nausea are signs of heat-related illness.

If you're not inside in the air-conditioning, lots of water and shaded areas to rest in are extremely important.

Pittsburgh doesn't see too many days with temperatures as high as they were on Monday, but all of this heat could stick around for another day or two.

Until the heat breaks, stay hydrated, and be sure to keep wearing sunscreen.