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San Francisco Chronicle
4 days ago
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
How severe will California's heat wave get near you? Here's a ranking for every neighborhood
This week, state officials launched a new tool that ranks heat wave severity and predicts impacts from sweltering temperatures at the neighborhood scale. The unveiling comes as intense heat is gripping Northern California, with parts of the Bay Area that could face triple-digit temperatures. Temperatures Friday, according to the new tool — dubbed the California Communities Extreme Heat Scoring System — are classified as 'severe' in places like San Jose, Walnut Creek and Concord. This is the highest heat severity category, on a scale of 0 ('low') to 4 ('severe'). At this level, communities face high risk of heat-related illnesses. Cooler temperatures are expected in San Francisco. But parts of the city, including the Bayview and South of Market neighborhoods, have a score of 3, corresponding with 'high' heat risk. Heat risk scores are calculated for individual ZIP codes through analysis of historical climate data, weather forecasts and potential health impacts. The model is based on emergency department visit data during the summer months. Temperature thresholds used for calculating scores differ between ZIP codes. The California Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment led the development of the tool. The National Weather Service provides a HeatRisk tool with similar heat-risk scores for the entire country. But that tool uses county-level data, while CalHeatScore relies on ZIP-code level emergency department data, said Walker Wieland, the program manager for CalHeatScore, during a media briefing Friday. 'We're able to use finer scale health data that really allows us to pinpoint more where those health vulnerabilities are,' Wieland said. The tool also provides socioeconomic and demographic data that highlights populations that may be vulnerable to extreme heat. 'This tool prioritizes those most at risk and helps ensure that no community is left behind,' said Yana Garcia, California's Secretary for Environmental Protection, during the Friday briefing. Garcia highlighted the correlation between heat and a range of negative health impacts, including increased emergency room visits and hospitalizations for medical issues. 'Not everyone experiences heat in the same way,' Garcia said. 'For example, many Californians don't have access to air conditioning. Some work long hours outdoors. Others are isolated or may face barriers to receiving critical health information.' A hotter future due to global warming brings additional challenges. 'As climate change drives rising temperatures, and as more frequent and intense heat waves hit communities across California, children in particular, older adults, outdoor workers and those with underlying health issues face the greatest risks,' Garcia said.
NDTV
11-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
FDA Approves 3 Food Colours - And They Are All Natural
Over the years, artificial colourings have sparked significant concerns among food and health experts worldwide. These synthetic dyes are often criticised for their potential negative health effects. In 2021, California's Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) evaluated numerous studies and concluded that synthetic food dyes could "cause or exacerbate neurobehavioral problems in some children". Additionally, several synthetic dyes are believed to have carcinogenic properties, prompting global food institutions to raise awareness and advocate for safer alternatives. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved three new natural colour additives. According to a report by the FDA, this approval allows manufacturers to incorporate more plant-based colours into their snacks and drinks, offering consumers healthier and more natural options. Also Read: Food Dye Used In Doritos May Help See Through Your Skin: Study Here Are The 3 New Natural Colour Additives For Public Use: Galdieria Extract: Galdieria sulphuraria, a type of red algae, lends a vibrant blue colour to various foods. It can now be used in smoothies, milkshakes, candy, ice cream, yoghurts, puddings, and even cereal. This innovative ingredient was introduced by a French company called Fermentalg. Butterfly Pea Flower Extract: You might have noticed drinks turning blue or purple thanks to the butterfly pea flower. This natural colour additive is already used in various foods and beverages. Recently, the FDA announced that it can now be used to colour food items like chips, crackers, pretzels, and cereals. This update was brought forward by Sensient Colours, a company based in St. Louis. Calcium Phosphate: This natural additive provides a nice white touch and is now approved for use in white candy melts, chicken products, doughnut sugar, and those crunchy sugar coatings on candies. This innovation comes from Innophos Inc., based in Cranbury, New Jersey. Also Read: Viral: You Can Check Adulteration In Watermelon With This Simple Test This shift comes as part of U.S. health officials' broader health initiative, which includes the "Make America Healthy Again" campaign. A key focus of this effort is to gradually remove petroleum-based dyes from the food supply and replace them with safer, naturally derived alternatives. Advertisement Comments For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Food And Drug Administration Food Colours Natural Food Colour Show full article Comments
