2022 — Excessive natural heat, esp. AZ (1,030) esp. Maricopa County (425), TX/203 –2,159
Compiled by Wayne Blanchard; last edit 2-11-2024 for upload to: http://www.usdeadlyevents.com/
–2,159 Blanchard tally from State breakouts below. Note: It is possible that my tally double-
counts CDC data in those states (7) and DC where I show a death from Null and OSHA
sources. The CDC does not show deaths in their State table when the deaths are below
10, but the suppressed number is included in their total. Thus if the CDC data included
these 8 deaths, my tally would be 2,151. I show 2,159 anyway in that the CDC data
underrepresents deaths where heat was a contributing factor.
–1,708 Hurt, Alyson (NPR). Citing National Cen. for Health Statistics, in Huang, Hurt, Wroth.*
*The Huang, Hurt and Wroth article credits Alyson Hurt of NPR for the table from which
the number of 1,708 heat-related deaths is drawn (“Heat-related deaths in the U.S. have
increased in recent years.”) It notes that the 2022 data are provisional.
–1,674 CDC WONDER. Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2018 through…Feb 4, 2024. X30 data
— 33 Pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths. Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles.
— 26 Worker heat-related deaths. OSHA Accident Search Results for 2022 heat-related deaths
Breakout of State and Local (where available) 2022 Heat and Related Deaths
Alabama 28 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
Arizona 1,030 AZ Dept. Health Svcs. Heat-Caused & Heat-Related Deaths by Year.
Arkansas 34 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
California 169 “
Colorado 14 “
District of Columbia 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
Florida 40 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
Georgia 22 “
Idaho 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
Illinois 35 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
Indiana 22 “
Iowa 11 “
Kansas 16 “
Kentucky 11 “
Louisiana 33 “
Maryland 13 “
Michigan 17 “
Mississippi 18 “
Missouri 32 “
Nebraska 1 OSHA. Accident Search Results for 2022 heat-related deaths.
Nevada 116 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
New Jersey 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
New Mexico 21 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
New York 17 “
North Carolina 24 “
Ohio 13 “
Oklahoma 37 “
Oregon 25 “
Pennsylvania 37 “
Rhode Island 1 OSHA. Accident Search Results for 2022 heat-related deaths.
South Carolina 22 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search
South Dakota 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
Tennessee 46 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
Texas 203 “
Utah 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
Virginia 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
Washington 25 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
Wisconsin 20 “
Total 2,159 Blanchard tally
ICDC Codes: T67.0 (Heatstroke and sunstroke);
T67.1 (Heat syncope); heat syncope (fainting) factors include dehydration and lack of acclimatization
T67.2 (Heat cramp);
T67.3 (Heat exhaustion, anhydrotic);
T67.4 (Heat exhaustion due to salt depletion);
T67.5 (Heat exhaustion, unspecified);
T67.6 (Heat fatigue, transient);
T67.7 (Heat oedema);
T67.8 (Other effects of heat and light);
T67.9 (Effect of heat and light, unspecified)
X30 Exposure to excessive natural heat.
Breakout of Heat-Related Fatalities by State and Locality:
Alabama 28 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Choctaw, June 17. Boy 3, left by mother and father in car at home driveway. Jan Null.[1]
–1 Cullman County, June 27. Girl, 6 months, in vehicle; mother arrested. Jan Null.
–1 Oneonta, Sep 20. Boy, 2, left in hot car at daycare; 96 degree temperature day. Jan Null.
Arizona
–1,030 Arizona Department of Health Services. Heat-Caused & Heat-Related Deaths…by Year.
— 425 Maricopa County Dept. of Public Health. 2022 Heat Deaths Report. June 2023, p.5.
–240 Heat Caused (p. 21)
–185 Heat Related “
— 386 Maricopa County Department of Public Health. 2023 Weekly Heat Report. Nov. 2023.*
* “This represents a twenty-five percent increase from last year.”
–56 Under Investigation
Arkansas 34 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 De Valls Bluff, July 7. Heat exhaustion; worker installing water pumping system. OSHA.
–1 Fort Smith, Aug 16. Boy 3, left in car in house driveway, 100 degree day. Jan Null.
California 169 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Indio, Sep 14. Girl 3, found dead in a car near a business; 96 degree temperature day. J. Null
–1 Mira Loma, Sep 8. Roadside landscaping worker becomes sick; taken to hospital; heat stroke.[2]
–1 Napa, June 16. Cardiac dysrhythmia, “heat may have been a causal factor.” Construction. OSHA.
–1 Oroville, Aug 19. Heat stroke; worker cleaning debris from formwork, bridge construction site.[3]
–1 Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Aug 31. Heat stroke during physical training run. OSHA.
District of Columbia 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
–1 Aug 9. Boy, 3 months, left in hot car several hours; father said he found the baby in the car.[4]
Florida 40 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Duette, April 5. Heat exhaustion; farm worker planting strawberry beds. OSHA.
–1 Jacksonville, Sep 20. Girl, 8 months, left in car about 1 hour; 88 temperature day. Jan Hull.
–1 Miami Gardens, July 11. Boy, 3, inadvertently left in car at preschool where he worked; 93⁰.[5]
–1 Tallahassee, July 19. Boy, 11 months, left in car “inadvertently” by mother while at work.[6]
–1 Wauchula, Nov 1. Girl, 11 months, in SUV 90⁰ day; babysitting grandmother charged. Jan Null
Georgia 22 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Brunswick, May 17. Heat-related organ failure; DHS employe; physical fitness test. OSHA.
–1 Columbus, June 26. Boy, 3, left in family car about 3 hours; 95 degrees day. Jan Null.
–1 Danielsville, June 30. Girl, 12 months, left in car outside a store apparently by mother, 3-4 hrs.[7]
–1 Macon, Aug 16. Girl, 9 months, died in mother’s car on 87⁰ day. Jan Null.
–1 Snellville, May 3. Girl, 8 months, left in car by father several hours, 87⁰ day. Jan Null.
Idaho 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
–1 New Plymouth, Sep 3. Girl, under 1 year old left in hot vehicle, 99 temperature day.
Illinois 35 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Manhattan, June 14. Heat-related illness; construction worker; 106⁰ heat index day. OSHA.
Kansas 16 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Scranton July 31. Toddler, 2, gets into car and could not get out; 90 degree day. Jan Null.
Louisiana 33 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Glenmora, July 11. Heat exposure; worker digging holes at archaeological dig. OSHA.
–1 Lake Charles, Aug 14. Girl, 6 months, left in car by mother at work five hours; 89⁰ day. Null
Mississippi 18 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Olive Branch, July 25. Heat stroke/drowning when worker went into pond to cool off. OSHA
Missouri 32 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Carthage, Aug 12. Girl, 3, gets into car and couldn’t get out. Dies in hospital next day.[8]
Nebraska 1 OSHA. Accident Search Results for 2022 heat-related deaths.
–1 Omaha, July 5. Heat stroke; worker wearing Tyvek suit in rooftop steel baghouse. OSHA.
Nevada 166
–152 Clark County. Southern Nevada Health District. Health District urges caution…extreme heat.
New Jersey 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
–1 Franklin Township, Aug 30. Girl, 2, unintentionally left in car in home driveway 7 hrs.
North Carolina 24 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Mebane, July 1. Girl, 12 months, left in car while at work, 90⁰ day. Jan Null.
–1 Midway Park, July 29. Heat stroke; newly hired, unacclimated landscaping worker. OSHA.
–1 Navassa, July 6. Heat exhaustion; second day of work trimming weeks. OSHA.
–2 Raleigh, Aug 27. Sisters, 2 and 3, left in hot car by mother (charged for murder), 93⁰ day.[9]
–1 Scotland Co., July 21. Boy 2, gets into car and found unresponsive, died week later.[10]
Ohio 13 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search
–1 New Philadelphia, Sep 1. Boy, 1, intentionally left in hot vehicle 5 hrs. by father, 84⁰ day.[11]
–1 Russia, June 1. Heat Exhaustion; construction worker breaking sand molds. OSHA.
Pennsylvania 37 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Upper St. Clair, June 16. Boy 3 months, let in car for hours, 91 degree day. Jan Null.
Rhode Island 1 OSHA. Accident Search Results for 2022 heat-related deaths.
–1 Cumberland, June 8. Suspected hyperthermia; grading at construction site. OSHA
South Dakota 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
–1 Clark, Sep 6. Toddler found dead in hot vehicle outside elementary school; 85⁰ day.
Tennessee 46 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Clarksville, July 20. High heat and heart attack; forklift operator. OSHA.
–1 Memphis, May 19. Girl, 10 months, left in car at daycare, 91⁰day. Jan Null.
Texas 203 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Austin, May 16. Heat strike; 1st day construction worker at commercial building site. OSHA
–1 Del Rio, July 5. Heat-related illness; worker making holes in ground with manual drill. OSHA.
–1 Ennis, May 15. Heat exhaustion and fall; roofing worker. OSHA.
–1 Harris County, June 20. Boy, 5, left in car by mother in home driveway; about 100⁰ day. Null.
–1 Houston, May 20. Girl, 10 months, left in car seat several hours, 90 degrees day. Jan Null.
–1 Houston, Sep 20. Boy 2, in hijacked SUV about 5 hours on day when temp. reached 94. Null
–1 Liberty Hill, June 21. Cardiac failure due to heat exposure; construction framing worker. OSHA
–1 Mission, Aug 25. Boy, 5, left in hot car by teacher at elementary school, 101 temp. day. Null
–1 San Angelo, Aug 8. Heat stroke digging narrow trenches with pickaxe. OSHA.
–1 San Antonio, June 23. Heat stroke; worker digging with shovel in direct heat and no shade.[12]
Utah 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
–1 Ogden, Sep 22. Girl, 1, left in left in parked truck 7 hours. Girl’s core temp. 107 at hospital.
Virginia 1 Null. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric…Deaths.”
–1 Chesterfield Co., June 28, Boy, 18 months, left in car by father 3 hrs.; father committed suicide.
Wisconsin 20 CDC WONDER Provisional Mortality Statistics, 2022 T67 search.
–1 Bristol, May 11. Heat stroke; worker after day spent constructing new deck. OSHA.
Narrative Information
(General)
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) on Heat-Related Deaths (11-21-2023):
“When people are exposed to extreme heat, they can suffer from potentially deadly illnesses, such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Hot temperatures can also contribute to deaths from heart attacks, strokes, and other forms of cardiovascular disease. Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, even though most heat-related deaths are preventable through outreach and intervention (see EPA’s Excessive Heat Events Guidebook at: www.epa.gov/heat-islands/excessive-heat-events-guidebook).
Unusually hot summer temperatures have become more common across the contiguous 48 states in recent decades…extreme heat events (heat waves) have become more frequent and intense… and these trends are expected to continue. As a result, the risk of heat-related deaths and illness is also expected to increase.[13] The “urban heat island” effect accentuates the problem by causing even higher temperatures in densely developed urban areas. Reductions in cold-related deaths are projected to be smaller than increases in heat-related deaths in most regions. Death rates can also change, however, as people acclimate to higher temperatures and as communities strengthen their heat response plans and take other steps to continue to adapt.
“Certain population groups already face higher risks of heat-related death, and increases in summertime temperature variability will increase that risk. The population of adults aged 65 and older, which is expected to continue to grow, has a higher-than-average risk of heat-related death. Children are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness and death, as their bodies are less able to adapt to heat than adults, and they must rely on others to help keep them safe. People with certain diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, are especially vulnerable to excessive heat exposure, as are the economically disadvantaged. Data also suggest a higher risk among non-Hispanic Blacks.”
Trent, CA Dept. of Health Services on Heat-Related (HR) Illness: “HR illness is described according to three stages of increasing severity:
- Heat cramps. Mild and easy to treat, this level involves fevers generally under 102 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Heat exhaustion: Involves fevers over 102 degrees Fahrenheit, often with vomiting, diarrhea, and fatigue.
- Heat stroke: A severe and life-threatening failure of body’s ability to cool (e.g., sweating ceases), with fevers over 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat stroke can result in organ and neurologic damage and lead quickly to death.” (p. 3)
“Exertional heat stroke tends to occur among younger (under 50 years old), healthier persons who develop heat stroke after strenuous activity and inadequate hydration. The result is dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Exposures may involve work or recreational activities outdoors.
“Classic heat stroke tends to occur among persons who are older (over 50 years old), frail, and with chronic diseases. They may take medications, have psychological or cognitive problems, and live alone. They are assumed to have a compromised thermoregulatory response due to their age, illnesses, and medications. They generally are not in an air conditioned space when discovered with heat stroke symptoms or deceased.” (p. 5)
(Trent, Roger B., Ph.D. (CA Dept. of Health Services). Review of July 2006 Heat Wave Related Fatalities in California. Sacramento, CA: Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch, California Department of Health Services, May 2007.)
Narrative Information
Arizona
Maricopa County Public Health: “Environmental heat is heat generated by the climate (sun, humidity, etc.) rather than heat from man-made sources such as ovens or manufacturing equipment. Heat-associated deaths are categorized based on the classification criteria listed below:
Heat-caused (HC) deaths are those in which environmental heat was directly involved in the sequence of conditions causing deaths. These are deaths where environmental heat terms were indicated in Part I1 of the death certificate causes of death (diseases or conditions in the direct sequence causing death), for cause of death variables (cod_a, cod_b, cod_c, or cod_d). County of death: Maricopa.
Heat-related (HR) deaths are those in which environmental heat contributed to the deaths
but was not in the sequence of conditions causing these deaths. These are cases where
environmental heat terms were mentioned in Part II2 of the death certificate causes of death
(diseases and conditions contributing but not directly resulting in the death sequence), but
not in any of the Part I death variables (cod_a, cod_b, cod_c, or cod_d). County of death:
Maricopa.
“For the purposes of this report, heat-caused and heat-related deaths are combined and referred to as “heat-associated deaths.” Please note that most jurisdictions report only heat-caused deaths. This should be considered when comparing Maricopa County data with data from other locations.”
Sources
Arizona Department of Health Services. Heat-Caused & Heat-Related Deaths in Arizona by Year (2012-2022) – Power Point Presentation. Accessed 2-10-2024 at: https://www.azdhs.gov/documents/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/extreme-weather/pubs/heat-related-mortality-year-2012-2022.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Provisional Mortality on CDC WONDER Online Database. Data are from the final Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2021, and from provisional data for years 2022-2024, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10-provisional.html on Feb 10, 2024 1:24:40 PM
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. National Vital Statistics System, Provisional Mortality on CDC WONDER Online Database. Data are from the final Multiple Cause of Death Files, 2018-2021, and from provisional data for years 2022-2024, as compiled from data provided by the 57 vital statistics jurisdictions through the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. Accessed at http://wonder.cdc.gov/mcd-icd10-provisional.html on Feb 10, 2024 5:59:33 PM
EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). Climate Change Indicators: Heat-Related Deaths (webpage). 11-1-2023. Accessed 2-7-2024 at: https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-heat-related-deaths#ref6
Huang, Pien, Alyson Hurt and Carmel Wroth. “This CDC data shows where rates of heat-related illness are highest.” 7-26-2023. Accessed 2-5-2024 at: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/07/26/1190085775/this-cdc-data-shows-where-rates-of-heat-related-illness-are-highest
KOAM News Now, Pittsburg, KS. “No charges filed in hot car death of Carthage 3-year-old girl.” 8-18-2022. Accessed 2-11-2024 at: https://www.koamnewsnow.com/news/joplin-news-first/no-charges-filed-in-hot-car-death-of-carthage-3-year-old-girl/article_d5b80e6c-8982-50cd-b3bd-d3f999345c3e.html
Maricopa County Department of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology and Informatics. 2022 Heat Deaths Report. June 2023. Accessed 2-10-2024 at: https://www.maricopa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5652
Maricopa County Department of Public Health. 2023 Weekly Heat Report. Nov. 2023. Accessed 2-10-2024 at: https://www.maricopa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5734
Null, Jan. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths.” Accessed 7-7-2021 at: https://noheatstroke.org
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Accident Search Results [heat], 1-1-2022 to 12-31-2022. Accessed 2-11-2024 at: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/AccidentSearch.search?p_logger=1&acc_description=&acc_Abstract=&acc_keyword=Heat&Fatal=fatal&sic=&naics=&Office=All&officetype=All&endmonth=01&endday=01&endyear=2022&startmonth=12&startday=31&startyear=2022&InspNr=
Southern Nevada Health District. “Health District urges caution amid extreme heat.” 7-13-2023. Accessed 2-10-2024 at: https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/news-release/health-district-urges-caution-amid-extreme-heat/
Trent, Roger B., Ph.D. (CA Dept. of Health Services). Review of July 2006 Heat Wave Related Fatalities in California. Sacramento, CA: Epidemiology and Prevention for Injury Control Branch, California Department of Health Services, May 2007. Accessed 8-31-2015 at: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/injviosaf/Documents/HeatPlanAssessment-EPIC.pdf
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, Midwest Information Office. “Fatal Work Injuries in Ohio- 2019.” Accessed 7-8-2021 at:
https://www.bls.gov/regions/midwest/news-release/fatalworkinjuries_ohio.htm
[1] The parents were charged and indited for criminally negligent homicide.
[2] OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Accident Search Results [heat], 1-1-2022 to 12-31-2022.
[3] OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Accident Search Results [heat], 1-1-2022 to 12-31-2022.
[4] Null, Jan. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths.”
[5] Null, Jan. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths.”
[6] Null, Jan. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths.”
[7] Null, Jan. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths.”
[8] KOAM News Now, Pittsburg, KS. “No charges filed in hot car death of Carthage 3-year-old girl.” 8-18-2022; Null.
[9] Null, Jan. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths.”
[10] Null, Jan. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths.”
[11] Null, Jan. Heatstroke Deaths of Children in Vehicles. “2022 Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths.”
[12] OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). Accident Search Results for 2022 heat-related deaths.
[13] Cites IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change). 2014.