Comparative assessment of the impact of weather and climate conditions in the Arctic region by bioclimatic indices

Abstract

There are single and multi parameter bioclimatic indices that enable assessment of the impact of weather and climatic conditions on health of a human being. This study aimed to comparatively assess health risks in the Arctic's open area using the bioclimatic indices. Relying on the data from the Central Siberian Department for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring (Krasnoyarsk) that describe the weather on Cape Chelyuskin in 2010–2022, we assessed the temperature, the integral indicator of body cooling conditions (IIBCC), the wind chill factor (WCF), the effective (ET) and the net effective temperature (NET), and the universal thermal climate index (UTCI). It was found that the WCF temperature can characterize the degree of frost risk as established by the IIBCC: the indicator has the critical frost risk period lasting November through April, and the respective risk level by WCF is "discomfort" (coolness) and "very cold", that by UTCI — "extreme stress", by ET — "caution — frostbite of exposed skin" (shorter), by NET — "threat of frostbite" (longer). The IIBCC and the UTCI show that the risk of cold injury in the conditions of Cape Chelyuskin is year-round: according to the IIBCC, its level changes between moderate (4–6 months) and critical (4–6 months), and according to UTCI, it may be very strong (4 months), and very strong and extreme (8 months). We have proven the advantages of UTCI over other integral indicators in assessment of the cold-related health risk and updated the basis for the hygienic requirements regulating practice of work in the open or in unheated enclosed spaces during the cold season.